Oklahoma – The Oklahoma Highway Patrol recognized Trooper C.L. Parkins #685 for his retirement after three decades of dedicated service to the state of Oklahoma.
Trooper Parkins began his career in 1995 after graduating from the 48th OHP Academy. He was first assigned to Troop H in Washita County before transferring to Troop S in 2005, where he served Washita, Beckham, and Custer Counties. In 2007, he joined Troop E, serving in the Southeast Region of Troop S.
Throughout his 30-year career, Trooper Parkins earned distinction for his exemplary work, receiving both the ACE Trooper Award and the Mike Cassingham Achievement Award for conducting 130 Level 1 inspections.
His career included several historic moments. While in the Academy, he witnessed the impact of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. Later, on April 11, 2001, he made a notable traffic stop of terrorist Nawaf Alhazmi on I-40 in Washita County—just five months before Alhazmi participated in the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol extended its deepest gratitude to Trooper Parkins for his decades of service and wished him a long, healthy, and fulfilling retirement.
