And they've held that sartorial distinction since 1917, when the troopers were established. In fact, the uniform has not changed much since then, said Trooper Tom Collins, who researches such matters.
Nothing is constant, of course.
And they tended to personalize the way they wore their Stetson-style hats. Although the photo donated to the Suffolk County Police Museum in Yaphank was without identification, the Long Island trooper on the left is believed to be Gil Kazan, while the other is John Gallagher, who went on to become Suffolk County Police chief of detectives.