By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
A legendary trooper marked the end of his career
Wednesday.
A new state law changing retirement benefits is the
primary reason so many Utah Highway Patrol Troopers are
retiring.
Sgt. Paul Mangelson, Utah Highway Patrol: "It's going
to be a big change in my life, I have been doing it for
almost 40 years."
Mangelson, based in Nephi, is one of those retiring.
He has the most seniority of any trooper currently on the
force.
He's earned a reputation as a trooper who has a nose
for illegal drugs. In fact, in ceremonies honoring him on
Wednesday, he was called the Michael Jordan of the Utah
Highway Patrol.
Mangelson was honored at a retirement party held in
Nephi at the Juab County Fairgrounds in the Cultural
Center.
A total of 30 Utah Highway Patrol troopers will be
retiring in the next week. In all, hundreds of years of
experience on the force will be lost.
Retirement parties are happening almost every day now
for veteran Utah Highway Patrol troopers. However, Mangelson
was honored for his many accomplishments and for having the
longest tenure.
He was honored for having an instinct for getting
drugs off the road and out of the market.
"Many years ago, I investigated an accident that
involved drugs," said Mangelson. "Three people were killed
in it and I decided at that time that maybe I could make a
difference."
Mangelson was honored by the UHP as a man who has made
a difference over the years with numerous drug busts. Two
years ago he stopped a truck with 300 pounds worth of
cocaine, with a street value of $30 million.
Mangelson says in his 40 years he has seen it all.
Last week, he determined that a Pooh bear was stuffed
full of methamphetamine. He was right.
"Lots of people are using cocaine, meth to stay awake
so they can drive long distances," he said.
Others are part of the trafficking problem. Mangelson
has always been out to stop those who were trying to get
more illegal drugs to market.
In his 40 years on the force, Mangelson was effective
in putting a dent in criminal activity. During his service,
most of it in Juab County, he arrested thousands of people
and seized thousands of pounds of drugs.
In one traffic stop alone, he caught someone carrying
$40 million worth of drugs.
"Anytime I get a load of drugs, it's a gigantic rush.
I'm hooked on catching them said Sgt. Mangelson.
Some of the videos taken from the patrol car camera
were shown of some of the drug busts Mangelson has made.
"He has more name recognition than any member of the
Utah Highway Patrol without a doubt," said UHP Lt. Fred
Swain.
"He is a hero, he certainly is in my book," said UHP
Trooper Lance Bushnell.
Sergeant Mangelson said now that he's retired, he'll
probably work part time for the sheriff's office in Juab
County.
Mangelson says fighting the drug problem will be a
battle for other troopers in the future.
"It's been going on for years and years and will keep
going on as long as people are buying it."
Mangelson has made hundreds of felony drug arrests and
has recovered over one hundred stolen vehicles during his
years with the Utah Highway Patrol. He has fired his weapon
on two separate occasions to defend his life.
On one occasion, his life was seriously
threatened.
Mangelson, one of the nation's best-known Operation
Pipeline instructors and a frequent consultant to other
police agencies, offered an insight into how behavioral
indicators work.
"The secret of criminal interdiction is being able to
read people. And there are things about people and things
they do that are a definite tip-off," Mangelson
explained.
Members of the UHP Interdiction Team presented
Mangelson with Milepost Marker 222, one of Sgt, Magelson's
favorite spots for watching for those who are illegally
operating a vehicle.
The spot will now be know by Mangelson's name.
An award has also been set up by the Governor in
Mangelson's name and will be given annually to a
trooper.
Mangelson received gifts, several plaques and many
honors at his retirement ceremony.
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