Image courtesy Facebook

After more than 26 years of public service, Trooper Ben Gardner of the Highway Kansas Patrol has announced his retirement on Facebook. Reflecting on a long and meaningful career, Trooper Ben cited both personal and professional reasons for stepping away, describing a sense of fatigue that has built over years of dedication to his role.

Throughout his career, he said, decisions were guided by purpose rather than pay, focusing on making a meaningful impact. He said serving the people of Kansas has been a source of pride and joy even as challenges and pressures accumulated behind the scenes.

The decision comes after a period of reflection following a recent family trip, and he said the time felt right to transition into the next chapter of life. He plans to share more about his experiences and lessons learned as he fully steps away from the role.