Governor Bibb Graves established Alabama's first statewide law enforcement agency on December 5, 1935.

[10] Due to further cost-cutting reasons, they were base model Javelins with heavy-duty "fleet" equipment, "machine wheels" with Goodyear Polyglas raised-white-lettered tires, and rear spoilers (factory available only on Javelin AMX models) to display the "state trooper" markings on the rear of each car.

[12][14] Trooper James Bonard Fowler became a significant player in escalating the acute racial conflict that led to the Selma to Montgomery marches in the civil rights movement.

Johnson had been arrested for suspicion of drunken driving on U.S. Highway 31 and was fatally shot by Fowler at the Alabaster, Alabama Police Department.

Additional weapons provided to troopers include the Bushmaster M4-type carbine rifle and the Benelli M4 police magnum shotgun.

Less-than-lethal weapons include OC (pepper) spray, ASP collapsible batons, and tasers.