POTD: Officer Payton’s Model 28 – When Cops Carried Wheel Guns
Sam.S 05.13.25
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! This Smith & Wesson Model 28-3 “Highway Patrolman” represents the standard service revolver carried by many American law enforcement officers throughout the 1970s and 80s, before the great transition to semi-automatic pistols in the early 1990s. The Model 28 earned the “Highway Patrolman” nickname after being adopted by numerous state police agencies across the country. Essentially a no-frills version of the premium Model 27, it offered the same .357 Magnum power and reliability but without the high polish finish and target sights that patrol officers didn’t need. This particular revolver was carried by Houston police officer Thomas A. Payton, who served for nearly 20 years – first with the Houston Park Police Department (1973-1985) and then with the Houston Police Department after the two agencies merged. Officer Payton carried this revolver until his death while still in service in September 1991, at just 60 years old. The 4-inch barrel version was particularly popular with urban police departments, offering a good balance of power, accuracy and portability. While state highway patrols often preferred the 6-inch barrel for better long-range accuracy from roadside positions, city cops needed something more maneuverable in tight spaces. This revolver dates from the mid-1980s, right around when American law enforcement stood at a crossroads. The FBI’s infamous 1986 Miami shootout would soon trigger a massive shift toward semi-automatic pistols with higher capacity. Within a decade of Officer Payton receiving this revolver, most departments nationwide had transitioned away from revolvers entirely. The personalized silver grip cap with gold banners reflects a common practice of the era – police officers often customized their duty weapons with grip medallions, special grips, or engraving to mark their service and personal connection to their sidearm.
“Houston Police Officer’s Smith & Wesson Model 28-3 Revolver.” Rock Island Auction Company, https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4094/1561/houston-police-officers-smith-wesson-model-283-revolver. Accessed 5 May 2025.
