Yesterday, during Thanksgiving at my in-laws’ house, I was having a conversation with my father-in-law, Geary. We discussed the current state of affairs, particularly the growing disrespect for law enforcement and the rise in crime. Geary reminisced about his late father, who would always emphasize the importance of respecting police officers and following their instructions if pulled over. Geary—back in the day, rode a Honda Sprint 305 and I’m guessing may have ran from the Yellow Jackets. Just sayin’.
During our conversation, he asked if I had ever heard of the ‘Yellow Jackets.’ When I replied that I hadn’t, he shared an interesting tidbit: the name of this police unit originated from a raid on a Nashville “good-time” house. It was a fascinating moment that connected our discussion about respect for law enforcement with a piece of local history.
Why the ‘Yellow Jackets’ were created
In the 1950s, traffic fatalities surged as drag racing gained popularity among teenagers across the country. In response, many police departments established specialized units to tackle this alarming trend, with motorcycles proving to be an ideal choice for officers needing fast and agile vehicles. While some cities referred to these units simply as Traffic Enforcement or Motorcycle Units, others opted for more distinctive names, such as the Pittsburgh Hot Rod Squad.
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Tennessee State Police Commissioner G. Hilton Butler took this initiative a step further by creating a unit known as the “Yellow Jackets.” The name originated from a story shared by an officer about a raid on a “Goodtime house” in Nashville, during which one of the occupants referred to the police as “Yellow Jackets.” Butler was so taken with the name that he not only adopted it for the unit but also commissioned special uniforms and motorcycles.
The Yellow Jackets rode Harley-Davidson Duo-Glides featuring powerful panhead engines, all painted in a bright yellow hue. They adorned their motorcycles with yellow jacket decals on the windshields, complemented by standard police markings. The officers sported black leather motorcycle boots and black pants with yellow stripes, along with yellow shirts that featured black pocket flaps and shoulder straps, finished off with black ties or ascots. They also received custom-dyed yellow jackets with black trim.
Despite the striking uniforms and motorcycles, the Yellow Jackets operated for only six months in 1958. Nonetheless, their distinctive appearance made a lasting impression, influencing future motorcycle units. Long before bright fluorescent colors became standard, the Tennessee Highway Patrol boldly embraced visibility. Established in 1958, the Yellow Jackets were a special motorcycle unit designed to stand out, equipped with matching Harley-Davidson Duo-Glides. Their mission was clear: to reduce the rising number of speed-related fatalities on Tennessee’s highways.
I reached out to retired Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel and former La Vergne Police Chief Mike Waller. Col. Waller recalled the police unit. “The ‘Yellow Jackets’ were active when I was in elementary school. I did have the opportunity to know and work with a few of them. Those Troopers were a unique breed, and they had some unique stories to tell. ”
Two patrolmen on 1963 Duo-Glides showcased similar uniforms and paint schemes, although they opted for a slightly toned-down shade of yellow. The 1950s Sting of the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Yellow Jackets remains a memorable chapter in the history of law enforcement.
