COLUMBIA — Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. Gary T. Daniels has been identified as the state trooper who died Thursday off of Callaway County Road 395, according to a Friday Missouri State Highway Patrol news release.
Daniels was appointed to the Missouri State Highway Patrol on July 1, 2015, in the 101st Recruit Class, according to the Highway Patrol.
He served as a recruiter for the Highway Patrol assigned to northwest Missouri, according to the Highway Patrol's website. He covered Troop C in St. Charles, Troop A in Lee's Summit to be closer to family in Kansas and Troop H in St. Joseph, according to the Highway Patrol's bio for him and the Missouri Department of Public Safety's Facebook.
Cpl. Gary T. Daniels
“Our troopers are hurting because Gary Daniels was a valued member of the Patrol family with a stellar career," Mark James, Missouri Department of Public Safety Director, said in a statement posted to Facebook. "He recruited and encouraged young men and women that they could succeed in our organization and, then in the academy, he helped shape the future of the Patrol. The Patrol and the entire DPS family mourn this terrible loss. Our thoughts are with Gary’s family and all who loved him,"
Callaway County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call at 2:55 p.m. Thursday to reports that a Highway Patrol trooper was shot, according to the Friday news release.
The Highway Patrol reported that Daniels died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to preliminary investigation.
KOMU 8 News saw over 20 vehicles parked on the side of U.S. 63 around Callaway County Road 395 during the investigation.
Callaway County Sheriff's Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Callaway County coroner are continuing to investigate the death, according to the Friday news release.
The Highway Patrol said no further details are currently available. It said further information will be shared as it becomes available and is appropriate to release.
This story has been updated with additional details.