Phillip Kidd keeping MHP’s legacy alive

The Mississippi Highway Patrol is an organization rich in history. Phillip Kidd collects just about everything you can think of related to the law enforcement agency.

Kidd’s father was a trooper from 1952 until 1984 assigned to the Batesville district. Kidd planned on following in his father’s footsteps but, unfortunately, couldn’t pass the vision exam. Having studied electronics in college, he had a successful career as a communications specialist for the patrol. He retired from the patrol in 2013 after reaching the assistant director’s position.

Phillip Kidd and his ’77 Ford LTD

Kidd amassed various lights used by the patrol along with just about every type of equipment that a patrol officer may have used through the years. He even has all the tags from his father’s patrol cars. The highlight of his collection is his 1977 Ford LTD.  From the lights down to the extra pair of boots in the trunk, the car is what a ’70s era Trooper would have been issued.

Sheriff Martin Pace with the classic patrol car.

Kidd takes the car to parades, funerals and various other occasions. He recently had it in Vicksburg for the funeral of retired Lt. Gaylon Owens, where Kidd was called upon to lead the procession to the cemetery. He even has the equipment to swap out the lights and decals for Christmas and the car becomes the Santa patrol. He also has pirate decals for the classic car.

Now retired and living in Hattiesburg, Phillip Kidd is enjoying teaching a new generation about the history of the Mississippi Highway Patrol.