AUSTIN – This week, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) hosted the inaugural National Top Trooper Competition at the DPS Tactical Training Facility in Florence. Designed to showcase the highest levels of law enforcement excellence, the event brought together Top Troopers from across the country for a week of collaboration, competition, and training. Male Trooper Michael Brown from Oklahoma Highway Patrol and female Lindsey Rumenapp from New York State Police earned the title of 2025 National Top Troopers, receiving a custom-made belt buckle from Andrews, Texas, and bragging rights for the next year.
Brown was a two-time state finalist at Noble before enlisting in the Navy and serving as a Corpsman. Following his service, Brown became an All-American at OCU before transferring to OU and finishing his competitive career there.
Brown later became an Oklahoma Highway Patrolman.
The National Top Trooper Competition is a rigorous three-day event designed to test the full scope of a Trooper’s operational readiness. Participants compete in nine events that evaluate physical fitness, mental resilience, tactical proficiency and overall job knowledge. In addition to the competitive challenges, Troopers must appear before an interview board, where they are assessed on professionalism, communication skills and critical thinking. Core components of the competition include advanced driving scenarios, physical fitness and marksmanship with all department-issued weapon systems, ensuring each competitor demonstrates mastery in essential law enforcement skills.
As a symbol of strength, resilience and warrior spirit, each participant in this year’s National Top Trooper Competition received a Spartan Sword, reflecting the event’s chosen theme. The sword reflects more than just victory— it embodies the discipline, honor and unwavering commitment required of those who wear the badge.
