MERIDIAN - The Idaho State Police will honor its former leader, Colonel G. Thomas Proctor, Jr. during a memorial service in Provo, Utah on Wednesday. The ISP Honor Guard will post the colors during the memorial service, provide a traditional casket watch and present the family with the American flag.
Colonel Proctor, of Gig Harbor, Washington, died March 13th due to the residual effects of a stroke he suffered several years ago. He served as Idaho State Police Superintendent from May 1978 to August 1979. The superintendent is the equivalent to the director under ISP's current structure.
"Although Colonel Proctor served as Superintendent for short time, he instituted changes to the agency that have served ISP well over the past 30 years," Colonel Ralph Powell, Idaho State Police Director, said. "Looking for a new image and to modernize the Trooper uniform that had not been changed for 30 years, he transitioned the head cover from the light blue Stetson to the dark blue Montana Peak campaign cover we now wear, as well as, the Troopers' uniform to one almost identical to the one worn today. The change also included the design of the patch that each Trooper wears with pride on their shoulder. Lastly, Colonel Proctor transitioned the patrol fleet from the white and light blue Plymouth with a bubble light on top to the striped design of our patrol cars with light bars that are now so recognizable on Idaho's highways."
Proctor was also responsible for reinstituting a volunteer reserve program to supplement the patrol that had been popular from the late 1950s until 1969. The program has since been discontinued.
Prior to his appointment as Superintendent, Colonel Proctor was a twenty-two year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department.
Details on the service and a complete obituary may be found at http://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2455241&fh_id=11041.
