Patrol captain shoots self during training

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- A Missouri State Highway Patrol commander is recovering after shooting himself in the arm with a pistol. Capt. Johnnie B. Hoggatt, 56, shot himself Monday while participating in a training exercise at a shooting range near Pigeon Creek, off Route A. He was with five other troopers. During the training, the troopers exited a patrol car and fired on multiple targets. "Every once in a while, something like this happens," said Lt. Randy Beydler, one of the five troopers participating in the training exercise. "It's unfortunate, but it's one of those things. That's why guns are dangerous." Hoggatt has been the commanding officer of Troop H, which covers 15 counties in northwest Missouri, for about 10 years.

To continue reading
For more than 115 years, the Southeast Missourian has written the first draft of local history. We have aspired to enrich, entertain, educate and inform. Our core values have remained firm: truth, service, quality, integrity and community. Support our mission.