Travel in Time with Dan: Fictional Interview with Officer Thomas F. Egan, One of the Five Founding Troopers of the CT State Police (1903)
Dan: Hello everyone! This is Dan Blanchard with the Travel in Time with Dan Show, where we mix travel, history, and leadership. Today, I’m in Meriden, Connecticut, at the Connecticut State Police Museum, honoring the oldest state police department in the country. We’re going back to the very beginning in1903, to speak with one of the original “Five”: Officer Thomas F. Egan. Welcome, Officer Egan.
Officer Egan: Thank you, Dan. It’s… quite something to see how far the department has come from those early days. I remember when our “headquarters” was little more than a dream and a desperate need for order.
Dan: It’s incredible to think that this entire, powerful institution started with just five men. The “Power of Five,” as I call it. Can you tell us about that initial spark? Why was a “State Police” even necessary in 1903?
Officer Egan: Well, the local constables did their best, but the state needed a different kind of force. We began as the Law and Order League, primarily to enforce laws that weren’t always popular locally with things like liquor sales, gambling, and what they called “vice.” These were difficult laws to uphold, and local authorities often lacked the resources or the political will. The state saw the need for a dedicated, independent body that could enforce the law uniformly across Connecticut. We were the answer to that call.
Dan: It’s fascinating how your mission evolved. From enforcing vice laws to becoming the public safety and emergency response force we see on highways today. What were those early days like for you and your fellow troopers?
Officer Egan: Far from the motorcars and radios you have now, I assure you! Our training was akin to military boot camp. It was very rigorous, for good reason. We had to be self-sufficient, resourceful. We earned three dollars a day, which was enough to live, but certainly not a fortune. And transportation? We relied on the rail lines, horses, and our own two feet. A lot of miles were walked in those early years, covering vast territories that had never seen a consistent law enforcement presence. We carried our nightsticks and handcuffs, but our greatest tools were our wits and our determination.
Dan: I can only imagine the dedication required. You truly were pioneers, redefining law enforcement for the entire nation, as Connecticut was the first to officially use the “State Police” name. What kind of challenges did you face that might surprise people today?
Officer Egan: Respect, often. We were new. Some local towns saw us as an intrusion. Others, as their only hope. We had to prove our worth, one incident at a time. Every case, every arrest, every intervention was a chance to build trust and demonstrate the value of a professional, state-level force. There was no playbook; we were writing it as we went along. We were a small startup, as you might say in your time, trying to redefine an entire industry.
Dan: That’s a powerful analogy. The “Power of Five” isn’t just about starting; it’s about the leadership to build something that endures. What leadership lessons do you think your early department offers to those looking to make a lasting impact today?
Officer Egan: The lesson, Dan, is in conviction and commitment. We were few, but our purpose was clear: to serve and protect the entire state, without favor or fear. We had to believe in what we were building, even when resources were scarce, and the path was unclear. Leadership means stepping forward when no one else will, laying down a foundation of integrity, and knowing that your work, even the hardest parts, will outlast you and serve generations to come. It’s about being true to your oath, every single day.
Dan: That commitment and courage, even to the point of ultimate sacrifice, is clearly reflected in the museum today. Officer Egan, thank you for your vision and for laying the groundwork for such a vital institution.
Officer Egan: It was our duty, Dan. And an honor to have served the people of Connecticut.
Dan: Here in Meriden, the Connecticut State Police Museum reminds us that true leadership doesn’t require massive numbers, but unwavering purpose. It shows that with conviction, a small group can indeed build a legacy that reshapes an entire state and inspires a nation.
Uncovering History. Inspiring Leadership. The Travel in Time Show is where travel, history, and leadership intermingle with history teacher, author, and speaker Dan Blanchard.
