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<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tJune 29, 2026<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
~\u00a0Florida Competes for Fourth Straight Best-Looking Cruiser Title~<\/p>\n
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.~\u00a0Today, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) officially entered the 2026 American Association of State Troopers (AAST) \u201cBest Looking Cruiser\u201d competition while simultaneously celebrating America\u2019s 250th\u00a0anniversary. For the last three years, FHP\u2019s iconic black\u2011and\u2011tan cruisers have earned the \u201cBest Looking Cruiser\u201d title, making Florida the first state in contest history to win three consecutive years. This year, we are asking all Floridians and FHP supporters across the country to help us make history once again.<\/p>\n
Voting begins\u00a0Monday, June 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EST\u00a0and continues through\u00a0Monday, July 13, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. EST. The top 13 states with the most votes will be featured in the 2027 wall calendar, and the top\u2011voted cruiser will appear on the cover. Help us place FHP\u2019s cruiser at the top of the AAST competition by casting your vote and selecting Florida as home to the best\u2011looking cruiser in the United States for the fourth year in a row.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s submission was photographed in front of Tampa\u2019s Sunshine Skyway Bridge during a typical Florida afternoon thunderstorm, and to commemorate America\u2019s 250th\u00a0birthday, the bridge was illuminated in red, white, and blue, reflecting the American ideals of safety and service that FHP works to protect. The featured cruiser, an iconic black\u2011and\u2011tan 2023 Mustang 5.0 GT, is assigned to the 2025 Trooper of the Year, Trooper David Kitchen.<\/p>\n
Trooper Kitchen received this recognition following a multi\u2011county pursuit of a reckless driver traveling southbound on Interstate 75 on July 14, 2024. The pursuit concluded after the suspect struck multiple vehicles, resisted arrest, and gained control of a firearm from inside his vehicle, prompting Trooper Kitchen to use deadly force to stop the threat. Immediately afterward, Trooper Kitchen rendered aid to the injured suspect, ensuring the safety of the public and the victims involved. His actions exemplify the commitment and professionalism of Florida\u2019s troopers, making his cruiser a fitting choice for this year\u2019s competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoin me in celebrating 250 years of American strength and progress, while also celebrating the iconic black\u2011and\u2011tan cruiser and the heroes who drive them,\u201d\u00a0said Executive Director Dave Kerner.\u00a0\u201cWhile the contest is a fun opportunity to showcase the best of law enforcement across the country, it also supports a truly important cause, which is giving back to the men and women who wear the badge. A vote for FHP is a vote for Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe members of the Florida Highway Patrol take great pride in the vehicles that support our mission every day,\u201d said Colonel Gary Howze. \u201cOur black\u2011and\u2011tan cruiser is more than a symbol of service\u2014it\u2019s an iconic reflection of the dedication and professionalism of every Florida State Trooper patrolling the roadways of the Free State of Florida. We appreciate the continued support from communities across Florida and beyond as we compete once again in this year\u2019s American Association of State Troopers national contest.\u201d<\/p>\n
The annual contest helps raise awareness for the American Association of State Troopers, which was founded by Florida State Troopers in 1989 and is headquartered in Tallahassee. Today, AAST has thousands of members nationwide, and proceeds from calendar sales support the AAST Foundation, which provides educational scholarships for the dependents of member troopers, line\u2011of\u2011duty death benefits for surviving families, and assistance to troopers who lose their homes during natural disasters. While FHP is aiming for a fourth consecutive win, this competition ultimately supports a meaningful cause.<\/p>\n
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