“He is not a police officer in the traditional sense.”
In Texas he is.
Highway Patrol does more than run up and down the interstate or back-roads, writing tickets.
Most of their activities in Texas are responding to “traditional” calls outside city limits or responding as back-up to county law enforcement. 1969-2014, 24 out of 69 were killed as a result of being shot.
In NC, 1969-2014, 39 were killed with 16 murdered (vehicular assault and gunfire). http://www.odmp.org/search?agency=Highway%20Patrol&state=North%20Carolina&from=1960&to=2014&o=
In Texas they are State Troopers that also work traffic. Primary law enforcement in each county resides with the elected Sheriff.