Ed Vandergriff, former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper at his home in Hugo, Tuesday, May 20, 2008. Photo by David McDaniel.

By Associated Press
Published: 4/1/2009  11:30 AM

HUGO — The oldest retired Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper — who was a member of the patrol's first academy — has died.

The patrol says Charles Edgar "Ed" Vandergriff II of Hugo died Monday at age 98 in Hugo. The cause of death was not immediately released.

Vandergriff was a teacher at Frogville in Choctaw County when he learned a highway patrol was being created. He applied and became a member of the first class of troopers in 1937.

He also served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was Choctaw County sheriff for two years after retiring from the OHP in 1960.

He's survived by a son, a daughter and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Friday at 2 p.m. at Mt. Olive Funeral Home in Hugo.