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60-426: The West Virginia State Police was first formed in 1919, at the direction of Governor John Jacob Cornwell , who deemed that a state-level law enforcement agency "was mandatory in order for him to uphold the laws of our state." Part of the compromise was the name of the organization: "West Virginia Department of Public Safety" was the official name until 1995 when the name was changed to "West Virginia State Police" during

120-422: A 2008 conference call with investors. On November 7, 2016, Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation changed its name to American Outdoor Brands Corporation . The next years saw increased scrutiny by some due to the use of its firearms in mass shootings such as the 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting , in which a Smith & Wesson AR-15 style rifle , the semi-automatic M&P15 was used. The same weapon

180-603: A bobbed hammer and blue metal finish. Each WVSP 4566TSW has the agency name and shoulder patch engraved. Each Trooper is issued an attachable flashlight which mounts to their pistol. As of December 2018, Troopers are now using Glock 17 Gen 5 9mm handguns. Troop 0 Command - South Charleston Troop 1 Command - Fairmont Troop 2 Command - Charles Town Troop 3 Command - Elkins Troop 4 Command - South Charleston Troop 5 Command - Logan Troop 6 Command - Beckley Troop 7 Parkways (WV Turnpike) Command - Beckley Troop 8 Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) Since

240-455: A caliber other than 5.56 NATO. The M&P15R is a standard AR-15 rifle chambered for the 5.45×39mm cartridge. In 2009, it released the M&;P15-22, chambered for .22 Long Rifle. Smith & Wesson manufactured a line of bolt-action rifles called the i-Bolt. These synthetic-stock rifles were available in .25-06 , .270 Win , or .30-06 caliber. In February 2023, Smith & Wesson introduced

300-584: A firearm that is true to the M1911 design, with additions that would normally be considered "custom", with a price similar to equivalent designs from other manufacturers. Smith & Wesson's Performance Center produces the top-of-the-line hand fitted competition version knowns as the P.C. 1911. While most 1911s run around 38 to 39 ounces (1,100 to 1,100 g), the PC 1911 is heavier, at approximately 41 ounces (1,200 g). The full-length guide rod adds some weight, and so does

360-506: A fraction of the US$ 112 ;million originally paid by Tomkins. Saf-T-Hammer assumed US$ 30 million in debt, bringing the total purchase price to US$ 45 million. Saf-T-Hammer, a manufacturer of firearms locks and other safety products, purchased the company with the intention of incorporating its line of security products into all Smith & Wesson firearms in compliance with the 2000 agreement. The acquisition of Smith & Wesson

420-594: A hybrid between the P99 and the Sigma series. In 2005, Smith & Wesson debuted a new polymer-framed pistol intended for the law enforcement market. Dubbed the M&;P (for Military and Police), its name was meant to evoke S&W's history as the firearm of choice for law enforcement agencies through its previous lineup of M&P revolvers. The M&P is a completely new design with no parts interchangeable with any other pistol including

480-448: A large frame revolver in heavier calibers ( .44 S&W American ). The U.S. Army adopted this new design, known as the Smith & Wesson Model 3 , as the first cartridge-firing revolver in U.S. service. In 1899, Smith & Wesson introduced its most widely used revolver, the .38 Military & Police (also known as the Smith & Wesson Model 10 ). With over 6 million produced, it became

540-511: A more powerful handgun for law enforcement officers. The Registered Magnum started the "Magnum Era" of handguns . In 1957, when S&W started issuing model numbers to its revolvers, the revolver that had started as the Registered (and later the postwar .357 Magnum) became the Model 27. The high point was in 1955, when the company created the Smith & Wesson Model 29 chambered in .44 Magnum , after

600-500: A new cartridge design more suitable than the .22 Short that it had been using. At the same time, the company's design was being infringed upon by other manufacturers, which led to numerous lawsuits filed by Rollin White . In many of these instances, part of the restitution came in the form of the offender being forced to stamp "Manufactured for Smith & Wesson" on the revolvers in question. White's vigorous defense of his patent caused

660-655: A problem for arms makers in the United States at the time, as they could not manufacture cartridge revolvers. At the war's end, the U.S. Government charged White with causing the retardation of arms development in America. Demand for revolvers declined at the close of the Civil War, so Smith & Wesson focused on developing arms suitable for use on the American frontier. In 1870, the company switched focus from pocket-sized revolvers to

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720-399: A result of the anticipated consumer boycott. The agreement stated all authorized dealers and distributors of Smith & Wesson's products had to abide by a "code of conduct" to eliminate the sale of firearms to prohibited persons, and dealers had to agree to not allow children under 18 (without an adult present) access to gun shops or sections of stores that contained firearms. In response,

780-656: A schoolteacher in Hampshire County. In 1890, Cornwell and his brother, William B. Cornwell , acquired the Romney Hampshire Review and assumed the roles of publishers and editors of the newspaper. In 1892, he married Edna Brady . In 1897, Cornwell and his brother bought out the competing paper, the South Branch Intelligencer , adding its name and 1829 founding date to the Review' s masthead. Cornwell

840-637: A suburb of Charleston , and near the agency's headquarters in South Charleston . Upon appointment, cadets undergo an intense training program at the State Police Academy. The West Virginia State Police also runs its own forensic laboratory and provide scientific investigation services to law enforcement agencies across the state. Services offered to criminal justice agencies include biochemistry, drug, firearm investigations, latent prints, questioned documents, toxicology and trace evidence. The crime lab

900-515: Is accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB). In 2023, an anonymous letter to Governor Jim Justice became public that alleged sexual assaults, thefts, and damage to state-owned property at the state police academy, instigating a major investigation. The whistleblower was arrested on alleged charges for battery and strangulation. The West Virginia Division of Criminal Justice Services

960-726: Is an American firearm manufacturer headquartered in Maryville, Tennessee , United States. Smith & Wesson was founded by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson as the "Smith & Wesson Revolver Company" in 1856, after their previous company, also called the "Smith & Wesson Company" and later renamed as " Volcanic Repeating Arms ", was sold to Oliver Winchester and became the Winchester Repeating Arms Company . The modern Smith & Wesson had been previously owned by Bangor Punta and Tomkins plc before being acquired by Saf-T-Hammer Corporation in 2001. Smith & Wesson

1020-605: Is interred with his wife and son in Romney's Indian Mound Cemetery . His descendants continue to run the Hampshire Review today. John J. Cornwell Elementary School in Levels, West Virginia was named for him, in honor of his teaching background and strong support of education in the state. [REDACTED] Media related to John J. Cornwell at Wikimedia Commons Smith %26 Wesson Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. ( S&W )

1080-459: Is made by Smith & Wesson in the United States. Subcompact versions are available in 9×19mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. Smith & Wesson introduced the SD VE series in 2012 to remake and improve the canceled Smith & Wesson SD . The SD VE design has an improved self-defense trigger and a comfortable, ergonomic, textured grip. The SD VE also features an improved stainless steel barrel and slide that

1140-786: Is responsible for setting minimum physical ability standards for police officers working in the state. In 2007, following a national trend, it relaxed the physical ability standards for aspiring police officers. Right now, any police applicant must do at least 27 push-ups/minute, 29 sit-ups/minute and be able to run 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in a maximum time limit of 14 minutes 53 seconds. The State Police, however, chose not to follow those standards unlike most local police agencies in West Virginia. The agency's recruiters still require applicants to perform at least 27 push-ups/minute, 29 sit-ups/minute and those same applicants have to run 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in no more than 14 minutes 52 seconds, which were all

1200-736: The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) and National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) organised a campaign over the issue of smart guns . Thousands of retailers and tens of thousands of firearms consumers boycotted Smith & Wesson. CEO Ed Schultz, who negotiated the deal, was forced out in September of that year. By December 2000, the company's stock price was 19 cents per share. Smith & Wesson dropped its smart gun plans after nearly being driven out of business. On May 11, 2001, Saf-T-Hammer Corporation acquired Smith & Wesson Corp. from Tomkins plc for US$ 15 million,

1260-496: The P99 line of pistols. Branded as the SW99 , the pistol is available in several calibers, including 9 mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP, and in both full size and compact variations. Under the terms of the agreement, Walther produced the frames, and Smith & Wesson produced the slide and barrel. The pistol has several cosmetic differences from the original Walther design and strongly resembles

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1320-487: The revolver was set to expire in 1856, Wesson began developing a prototype for a cartridge revolver. His research pointed out that a former Colt employee named Rollin White held the patent for a "bored-through" cylinder, a component he would need for his invention. Wesson reconnected with Smith, and the two partners approached White to manufacture a newly designed revolver-and-cartridge combination. After Wesson left Volcanic Repeating Arms in 1856, he rejoined Smith to form

1380-441: The slide and barrel use either stainless steel or carbon steel . In 1996, Smith & Wesson updated the Sigma by adding a compact model with a shortened barrel (from 4 1 ⁄ 2 to 4 inches) and again, in 1999, modified the series by changing the grip by adding checkering and adding an integral accessory rail for lights and laser targeting devices. S&W reached an agreement with Walther to produce variations of

1440-535: The Army dropped its search and Smith & Wesson introduced its pistol to the civilian shooting market as the Model 39. The Model 39 would come to be known as a first-generation pistol. Since the Model 39 debuted, Smith & Wesson continuously developed this design into its third-generation pistols, which have now been discontinued. The first-generation models use a 2-digit model number, the second generation use 3 digits, and third-generation models use 4 digits. Along with

1500-547: The M&P apart from both the Sigma and the popular Glock pistols. The M&P is available in 9×19mm , .40 S&W , 5.7x28mm , .22 WMR , and .357 SIG . Also, a .22 LR M&P was developed with Carl Walther and is made in Germany. A .45 ACP model was released in early 2007, after making its debut at the SHOT Show . In addition, compact versions are available in .22LR, 9×19mm, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, and .45 ACP. The .22LR Compact

1560-525: The M&P15 and the M&P15T. The two are basically the same rifle, chambered in 5.56 NATO , with the T model featuring folding sights and a four-sided accessories rail. These rifles were first produced by Stag Arms but marketed under the Smith & Wesson name. Currently Smith & Wesson makes the lower receiver in-house while the barrel is supplied by Thompson/Center , a S&W company. In May 2008, Smith & Wesson introduced its first AR-variant rifle in

1620-628: The M1911's well-known dimensions, operation, and feel while adding a variety of modern touches. Updates to the design include serration at the front of the slide for easier operation and disassembly, a high "beaver-tail" grip safety , external extractor, lighter weight hammer and trigger, as well as updated internal safeties to prevent accidental discharges if dropped. S&W 1911s are available with black finished carbon steel slides and frames or bead blasted stainless slides and frames. They are available with aluminium frames alloyed with scandium in either natural or black finishes. These updates have resulted in

1680-463: The S.D. did not include. The Smith & Wesson SD VE is available in 9×19mm and .40 S&W calibers in either a standard-capacity version (16+1-round capacity for SD9 VE and 14+1 for SD40 VE) or the low-capacity version (10+1-round capacity for both calibers.) In 2003, Smith & Wesson introduced their variation of the classic M1911 .45 ACP semi-automatic handgun, the SW1911. This firearm retains

1740-537: The Sigma series of recoil-operated , locked-breech semi-auto pistols in 1994 with the Sigma SW40F, followed by the Sigma SW9F 9 mm, which included a 17-shot magazine. Glock initiated a patent infringement lawsuit against Smith & Wesson. The latter paid an undisclosed amount to settle the case and for the right to continue producing models in the Sigma line. The gun frame is manufactured from polymer , while

1800-461: The Sigma. The new design not only looks completely different from the Sigma but feels completely different with 3 different backstraps supplied with each M&P. Many of the ergonomic study elements that had been incorporated into the Sigma and the SW99 were brought over to the M&P. The improved trigger weight and feel, and unique takedown method (not requiring a dry pull of the trigger) were meant to set

1860-457: The Smith & Wesson Revolver Company, which would become the modern Smith & Wesson company. Rather than make White a partner in their company, Smith & Wesson paid him a royalty of $ 0.25 on every revolver they made. This arrangement left White responsible for defending his patent, which eventually led to his financial ruin, while it was very advantageous for Smith & Wesson. Smith & Wesson's revolvers came into popular demand with

West Virginia State Police - Misplaced Pages Continue

1920-511: The State Police. Once hired, such officers would train for only 11 weeks, instead of the 25 weeks normal cadets go through. The State Police is and has been the only agency to operate a law enforcement academy in West Virginia. The state police academy trains West Virginia State Police Troopers and all county and local police departments in the state. State Police vehicles are composed of a variety of makes with blue and gold colors accompanied by

1980-402: The United States entered World War I and due in part to his efforts, West Virginia had one of the highest percentages of volunteers of any state. Also during his term, the state reached an agreement on a public debt figure owed to Virginia since West Virginia's statehood in 1863. Cornwell advocated strengthening the mining code, the creation of a state board of education, and the establishment of

2040-647: The West Virginia Department of Public Safety, now officially known as the West Virginia State Police . He supported women's suffrage, adding it to the agenda for a special session of the legislature in February 1920. West Virginia became the 34th state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment , which granted women nationwide the right to vote. Cornwell's term was marked by growing labor unrest in

2100-527: The acquisition by Saf-T-Hammer. The mechanism is relatively unobtrusive, is activated with a special key, and renders the firearm inoperable. Most gun enthusiasts prefer to keep their gun unlocked. In 1953 the U.S. Army was looking for a pistol to replace the Colt 1911A1 . To obtain a bid from the U.S. Government, Smith & Wesson began working on a design similar to the German Walther P38 . A year later

2160-562: The add-on magazine well. During the early years of WW2, Smith & Wesson manufactured batches of the Model 1940 Light Rifle under request from the British Government. It turned out to be a spectacular failure. In January 2006, Smith & Wesson reentered the rifle market with its M&P15 series of rifles based on the AR-15 . Unveiled at SHOT Show 2006, the rifle debuted in two varieties:

2220-412: The agency employed well above 600 sworn officers, making it de facto the largest law enforcement agency in the state. The State Police is heavily relied upon to assist in many of the 55 West Virginia counties. In September 2013, news organizations started reporting a new initiative from the agency to increase manpower. The Accelerated Cadet Program targets local West Virginia police officers who want to join

2280-681: The agency's logo on the side front doors. For many years, the agency has used Ford Crown Victorias for the road. In recent years, however, the West Virginia State Police has phased out Chevy Impalas and the Ford Police Interceptors (Police equivalent of the Ford Taurus) as well as Ford Crown Victorias. As of 2024, WVSP primarily utilizes both marked and unmarked variants of the Ford Police Interceptor Utility and

2340-824: The coal industry of southern West Virginia. He discouraged an armed miners' march in 1919 by assuring them he would address their grievances. His failure to handle the situation led to increased violence, including the infamous shootout between miners and coal company guards in Matewan , Mingo County . After leaving office in 1921, Cornwell served as a director and general counsel for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad . Upon retirement, Cornwell lived at his home on Main Street in Romney. He contracted pneumonia and died at Cumberland Memorial Hospital in Cumberland, Maryland on September 8, 1953. Cornwell

2400-538: The company declined by 41 percent In June 1987, Tomkins plc paid $ 112.5 million to purchase Smith & Wesson. Tomkins modernized the production equipment and instituted additional testing, which significantly increased product quality. However, new gun sales in the United States lagged in the 1990s, some of which were attributed to the Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994. There were also numerous city and state lawsuits against Smith & Wesson. After

2460-563: The establishment of the West Virginia State Police, 41 officers have died while on duty. John Jacob Cornwell John Jacob Cornwell (July 11, 1867 – September 8, 1953) was a Democratic politician from Romney in Hampshire County , in the U.S. state of West Virginia . Cornwell served as the 15th Governor of West Virginia, from 1917-1921. He also served in the West Virginia Senate from 1899-1905. John Jacob Cornwell

West Virginia State Police - Misplaced Pages Continue

2520-471: The first digit of 6 indicated stainless steel. For most of the third-generation models, the first two digits identified the caliber (except for 59/69 for 9mm), the last two digits were for the action style and the material, respectively. Action style numbers were typically 0 for the standard double/single-action and 4 for double-action-only. Material numbers were commonly 3 for aluminium, 4 for blued steel, and 6 for stainless steel. Smith & Wesson introduced

2580-462: The initial minimum requirements for all police departments in West Virginia. Training at the paramilitary academy lasts about 25 weeks compared to about 16 weeks for officers from other departments (trained at the same academy). When cadets graduate, they are promoted to the rank of "Trooper." They can be stationed anywhere in the 55 West Virginia counties working from detachments (barracks). They serve an eighteen-month probationary period that starts at

2640-461: The late 1970s, these profitable moves made Smith & Wesson "the envy of the industry" according to Business Week. Despite these advantages, Smith & Wesson's market share began declining in the 1980s. As the war on drugs intensified in the United States, police departments all across the country replaced their Smith & Wesson revolvers with European semiautomatics (such as Glock , SIG Sauer , and Beretta ). From 1982 to 1986, profits at

2700-582: The legislative session. Like other state law enforcement agencies, West Virginia troopers enforce traffic laws statewide, investigate crimes and protect the governor and his immediate family. The superintendent of the West Virginia State Police is Colonel Jack Chambers. West Virginia State Police troopers wear a forest-green uniform and campaign hat . They receive their training at the West Virginia State Police Academy located in Institute ,

2760-547: The myriad smaller configurations, the mid-sized 4516, 457 , the Chiefs Special CS45, and the decocker equipped, 4546, 4566 and 4576, and the 45 TSW, the 4553, still being issued to the West Virginia State Troopers. For many of the second-generation models, the first digit identified the material used in the frame; thus the first digit of 4 indicated an alloy, the first digit of 5 indicated blued steel, and

2820-417: The new Chevrolet Tahoe. The agency also uses unmarked vehicles that are usually assigned to command staff members; however, certain traffic units use unmarked (typically light blue) Ford Expeditions. Vehicles are mainly equipped with blue LED lights and red and amber LED lights in the rear. Troopers are issued the .45 ACP Smith & Wesson 4566TSW, a version of the Smith & Wesson Model 4506 . It has

2880-463: The outbreak of the American Civil War , as soldiers from all ranks on both sides of the conflict made private purchases of the revolvers for self-defense . The orders for the Smith & Wesson Model 1 revolver outpaced the factory's production capabilities. In 1860, demand volume exceeded the production capacity, so Smith & Wesson expanded into a new facility and began experimenting with

2940-599: The round's creator Elmer Keith had encouraged Smith & Wesson to develop a revolver for his new ammunition. The Dirty Harry movies made this gun a cultural icon two decades later. In 1965, the Wesson family sold its controlling interest in Smith & Wesson to Bangor Punta , a prominent American conglomerate. Over the next decade, Bangor Punta diversified the company's civilian sales to include related gun products (such as holsters ), as well as offering additional police equipment (such as handcuffs and breathalyzers ). By

3000-403: The small .32 frame, J to the small .38 frame, K to the medium .38 frame, L to the medium large .38 and .44 Magnum frame, and N to the largest .44 Magnum type frame. In 2003, the even larger X frame was introduced for the .500 S&W Magnum . Most Smith & Wesson revolvers have been equipped with an internal locking mechanism since

3060-407: The standard sidearm of American police officers for much of the 20th century. An additional 1 million of these guns were made for the U.S. Military during World War II. The post-war periods in the 20th century were times of great innovation for the company. In 1935, Smith & Wesson released the .357 Registered Magnum, which was the first revolver chambered for .357 Magnum . It was designed as

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3120-453: The stock ticker SWBI and American Outdoor Brands becoming a new publicly traded company on the NASDAQ as American Outdoor Brands, Inc. As of January 2022 , SWBI had a market value of around $ 880 million, with revenues a little over US$ 1 billion Smith & Wesson has produced revolvers over the years in several standard frame sizes . M refers to the small early Ladysmith frame, I to

3180-495: The success of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement , municipalities thought they might be able to succeed through tort law against the gun industry as well. On March 17, 2000, Smith & Wesson made an agreement with U.S. President Bill Clinton , under which it would implement changes in the design and distribution of its firearms, in return for "preferred buying program" to offset the loss of revenue as

3240-477: The time they enter the academy. After successfully completing that probationary period, they are eligible to receive an associate degree in police sciences through the Marshall Technical and Community College program. The State Police has struggled with staffing issues for many years and the problem seems to persist mainly due to lack of funding to dramatically increase the number of road troopers. As of 2013,

3300-509: Was a unit of American Outdoor Brands Corporation from 2016 to 2020 until the company was spun out in 2020. Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson founded the Smith & Wesson Company in Norwich, Connecticut in 1852 to develop the Volcanic rifle . Smith developed a new Volcanic Cartridge , which he patented in 1854. The Smith & Wesson Company was renamed Volcanic Repeating Arms in 1855 and

3360-523: Was admitted to the bar in 1898 and served as a state senator from 1899 to 1905. He was defeated in his first gubernatorial bid by William Mercer Owens Dawson in 1904, but was elected governor in 1916, took office in March 1917, and served until 1921. Cornwell was the only Democrat elected to a statewide office in 1916, and he was the only Democrat to serve as governor in a thirty-six-year span between 1897 and 1933. One month after Cornwell took office as governor,

3420-632: Was born on a farm near the community of Pennsboro in Ritchie County , into a family whose ancestor Peter Cornwell, born in Wales in 1634, settled in the Virginia Colony . In 1870, when John J. Cornwell was three years old, his family moved to Hampshire County in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle . Cornwell attended Shepherd University in Shepherdstown at the age of sixteen and upon graduating became

3480-539: Was chiefly brokered by Saf-T-Hammer President Bob Scott, who had left Smith & Wesson in 1999 because of a disagreement with Tomkins' policies. After the purchase, Scott became the president of Smith & Wesson to guide the 157-year-old company back to its former standing in the market. On February 15, 2002, the name of the newly formed entity was changed to Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation. In 2006, Smith & Wesson refocused its marketing on big box retailers , according to Smith & Wesson CEO Mike Golden in

3540-542: Was purchased by Oliver Winchester . Smith left the company and returned to his native Springfield, Massachusetts , while Wesson stayed as plant manager with Volcanic Repeating Arms for eight months. Volcanic Repeating Arms was insolvent in late 1856, after which it was reorganized as the New Haven Arms Company in April 1857, and eventually as the Winchester Repeating Arms Company by 1866. As Samuel Colt 's patent on

3600-415: Was used in the 2015 San Bernardino attack , as well as the 2012 Aurora, Colorado shooting . In 2017, Smith & Wesson saw a severe contraction in its sales as units shipped to distributors and retailers declined 38.3%. The company was forced to lay off one-fourth of its manufacturing workforce. On August 24, 2020, American Outdoor Brands was spun-off from Smith & Wesson, with S&W retaining

#191808