Photos: DPS troopers compete in Top Trooper competition

FLORENCE, Texas (KXAN) — Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers are gathered in Florence, Texas this week to battle for the title of Top Trooper.

Each year, DPS holds a multi-day competition testing troopers’ driving and firearm skills, physical conditioning and endurance and job knowledge through nine events. This year is the 12th annual competition.

“A trooper’s job is rigorous. There are high demands, and this is a great way to test the demands that are going to be put on them on their day-to-day job,” said Justin Charne with DPS.

From shooting, to driving, physical conditioning and endurance exercises, dozens are fighting for the top spot. Although, DPS leadership said it’s not just about physical tests.

“One of the things we have that they’re also competing in is an oral board for job knowledge. So every aspect on what a trooper does on their day to day job is what we’re testing,” Charne said.

While the event is all fun and games now, it’s all done in respect and honor of a fellow trooper. The competition is named after Trooper Javier Arana, Jr., who competed in the first year of the games. He got third place, and tragically died on duty a few month later, according to DPS.

One male and one female trooper will earn the Javier Arana Jr. Top Trooper Award, named after the fallen trooper who DPS said participated in the inaugural competition.

The competition takes place at the DPS Tactical Training Facility in Florence. Winners will be announced by DPS on Friday.

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