At the time, radio stations had to manually monitor police scanners or wait for press releases to learn about traffic accidents and emergencies. Sigmon wanted to find a faster, more reliable way to obtain and broadcast this critical information. To solve this problem, Sigmon designed a specialized radio receiver that could be installed at local radio stations. The system operated using a unique connection to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) dispatch center: * **The Trigger:** When police dispatchers needed to broadcast an urgent message, they transmitted a sub-audible tone before speaking. * **The Receiver:** This tone automatically activated the specialized receiver at the radio station, triggering a red warning light and starting a tape recorder. * **The Broadcast:** The radio station could then immediately play the recorded police dispatch directly on the air, bypassing the delay of manual reporting. Los Angeles Police Chief William H. Parker strongly supported the project, recognizing that it would save valuable police resources by distributing information to the public instantly. Parker suggested naming the system after its inventor. Although Sigmon initially resisted the honor, the name "Sigmon Alert" was adopted, which was quickly shortened to "Sig Alert." The first official alert was broadcast in September 1955.
## How the Sig Alert Evolved Initially, Sig Alerts were not exclusive to traffic jams. They were used for any major public emergency, including train derailments, gas leaks, and natural disasters. In some cases, early alerts were even used to request emergency medical personnel to report to local hospitals during crises. As technology and infrastructure evolved, so did the administration of the system. In 1969, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) took over the management of the alert system from local police departments. Over the subsequent decades, the technology transitioned from analog radio tones and tape recorders to computerized dispatch systems and digital networks. Despite these technological advancements, the name "Sig Alert" remained. Today, the CHP officially defines a Sig Alert as any unplanned event that causes the closure of one or more lanes of traffic for 30 minutes or more. These alerts are automatically distributed to news outlets, traffic monitoring services, navigation apps, and digital overhead highway signs to help drivers reroute and avoid gridlock.
## Researching Loyd Sigmon and Historical Figures Loyd Sigmon passed away in 2004 at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy that impacts millions of commuters every day. For historians, genealogists, or those curious about the lives of innovators like Sigmon, researching historical records and obituaries can provide valuable context about their contributions to society. Online databases make it easier than ever to locate public notices, historical biographies, and obituaries of notable figures. ### How to Navigate Obituary Databases
When searching for historical records or obituaries online, databases typically offer several ways to locate specific listings: * **Name Search:** Users can perform a search using either a partial or full name to locate a specific individual. * **Alphabetical Filters:** Listings can be filtered by the first letter of the last name to narrow down search results quickly. * **Monthly Browsing:** For researchers who know the approximate date of death, listings can be browsed by month and year to locate records from a specific time period. Once the correct record is located, the individual's page may contain a detailed obituary, service information, historical tributes, and options to connect with family archives. Because the availability of older records can vary, some historical listings may require searching specialized digital archives or local library databases.
