NEWS

Top Trooper Competition challenges Texas highway patrol officers. Check out the photos.

Jay Janner
Department of Public Safety Trooper Jerardo Tapia competes in the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Department of Public Safety Trooper Jerardo Tapia competes in the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman
Department of Public Safety Sgt. Amanda Epperson, right, encourages Trooper Dani Basye as she competes in the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Department of Public Safety Sgt. Amanda Epperson, right, encourages Trooper Dani Basye as she competes in the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman
Department of Public Safety Trooper Wenyi Torres competes in the firearms skills contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Department of Public Safety Trooper Wenyi Torres competes in the firearms skills contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman
Department of Public Safety troopers walk the track before competing in the driving skills contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Department of Public Safety troopers walk the track before competing in the driving skills contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman
A Department of Public Safety trooper competes in the driving skills contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
A Department of Public Safety trooper competes in the driving skills contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman
Department of Public Safety Trooper Chase Campbell competes in the firearms skills contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Department of Public Safety Trooper Chase Campbell competes in the firearms skills contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman
Department of Public Safety Trooper Jason Tye competes in the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Department of Public Safety Trooper Jason Tye competes in the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman
Department of Public Safety troopers compete in the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Department of Public Safety troopers compete in the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman
Department of Public Safety Trooper Rafael Rivas competes in the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Department of Public Safety Trooper Rafael Rivas competes in the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman
Department of Public Safety Trooper Jose Perez competes in the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Department of Public Safety Trooper Jose Perez competes in the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman
Department of Public Safety Maj. Tyler Harpole encourages troopers competing in the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Department of Public Safety Maj. Tyler Harpole encourages troopers competing in the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman
Department of Public Safety Trooper William Cook competes in the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Department of Public Safety Trooper William Cook competes in the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman
Department of Public Safety Trooper Allie Moroles competes in the firearms skills contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Department of Public Safety Trooper Allie Moroles competes in the firearms skills contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman
A Department of Public Safety trooper competes in the driving skills contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
A Department of Public Safety trooper competes in the driving skills contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman
Department of Public Safety Sgt. Brian Ihnen gives water to Trooper Jose Perez after he finished the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Department of Public Safety Sgt. Brian Ihnen gives water to Trooper Jose Perez after he finished the physical fitness contest at the 12th Annual Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence Tuesday April 23, 2024. The weeklong event has 120 troopers competing in physical fitness, driving and firearms skills, and job knowledge. The male and female winners will earn the Javier Arana, Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after fallen Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who participated in the inaugural competition, and get a new patrol vehicle.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman