A robot was sworn in as a Kentucky state trooper on Aug. 6, 1984, at the state capital in Frankfort. The robot, donated by the Chevron Corp. and valued at $14,750, was used to teach traffic safety in Kentucky schools. The robot was sworn in by Kentucky Chief Justice Robert F. Stephens and was given badge No. 219. In the background, Kentucky State Police Commissioner Morgan T. Elkins and Gov. Martha Layne Collins talked in the Capitol Rotunda. The governor tried to be kind during the ceremony. “I’m saying he, but we’ll let that go,” she said. Stephens was even a bit more serious than the occasion might have demanded when he called for the officer candidate to repeat the oath of office. Following Stephens’ lead, the robot promised to “promote the peace and safety of this commonwealth, to serve mankind by responding to the needs of you humanoids … to the best of my ability, batteries and computer willing.” Chevron provided a $500 savings bond to go to the winner of a contest to name the newest trooper.
Photo by David Perry | Staff