Sgt. Leo McElrath retired April 1 from the Missouri State Highway Patrol after nearly 27 years of service.

McElrath, 50, was appointed to the Highway Patrol Academy on July 1, 1972, and was assigned to Perryville. In February 1977 he was assigned to Marble Hill and in 1980 moved to Jackson.

On Aug. 1, 1987, McElrath was promoted to corporal, and in September 1988 he was given the rank of sergeant. At retirement, he was the zone commander of Zone 5 in Cape Girardeau.

After graduating from Fredericktown High School in 1967, McElrath spent four years in the Army and afterwards repaired boats and barges for Cape Dry Dock.