A man who graduated from Hannibal High School more than 30 years ago is about to call it a career as the Missouri State Highway Patrol has announced his retirement. A press release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol says that Captain Erik A. Gottman is retiring on August 1, 2026. This was announced by Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Captain Gottman was a member 27th Recruit Class on October 1, 1995 when he joined what was then the Missouri State Water Patrol. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Captain Gottman was born in Fort Knox, Kentucky before moving to Hannibal and graduating from Hannibal High School.