Alphonso Lofton, a young Marine finishing
out a five-year hitch with the United States Marine Corps, took one
look at a Florida Highway Patrol trooper investigating a hit-and-run
accident in 1966 and decided that's what he wanted to be when he got
our of the Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged in August, 1968
having attained the rank of Sergeant. After his discharge, he attended
Lake City Community College.
His dream became a reality on May 1, 1970,
when Trooper Alfonso Lofton became the first African-American member of
Florida's "Finest" and set the stage for many of the other great men
and women to follow in his footsteps. He attended the 38th Recruit
Class at the Florida Highway Patrol Training Academy in Tallahassee
from January 10, 1971 through April 3, 1971. Upon graduation, he
returned to Miami where he was assigned to Field Operations. On January
1, 1973, he was promoted to Traffic Homicide Investigator. On March 9,
1981, he was assigned as a Recruiter for Troop E.
Trooper Lofton had the distinction of
being the first African-American Florida Highway Patrolman. In March,
1973, Trooper Lofton was appointed to the Equal Employment Opportunity
Committee of the Department. His efforts to recruit more
African-Americans into the ranks of the Florida Highway Patrol earned
him recognition from the Patrol and from the community.
In recognition of his efforts, he received
the Martin Luther King Brotherhood Award and was honored by the State
of Florida. The Florida Commission of Human Relations also commended
him for his outstanding service with the Florida Highway Patrol.
Trooper Alphonso Lofton
succumbed to multiple sclerosis on February 25, 1984, at the age of
thirty-nine. His distinguished career with the Florida Highway Patrol
was cut short by this tragic illness. Trooper Alphonso Lofton's
outstanding record of service to the citizens of the State of Florida
exemplified character, honor and integrity. On August 19, 1988, the
Troop E Headquarters Station was dedicated to the memory of Trooper
Alphonso Lofton.
Additional notes provided by the a
second cousin of Alphonso. Their paternal grandfathers were brothers.
Alphonso's paternal grandfather was born in
Columbia County, Florida to parents Permilla and Fred Lofton. Permilla
and Fred were married 18 November 1879.
We extend our gratitude
to the Florida Highway Patrol, for their graciousness in allowing
us to use the article "A Dream Becomes Reality" on the Columbia County,
FLGenWeb site. For this story and more, check out the very interesting
site on the History of the Florida Highway Patrol below.
The History of the
Highway Patrol 1960-1971.
Office of Public Affairs
Florida Highway Patrol
Back to Columbia
County FLGenWeb Home Page.
Back to Columbia
County Bios.