The Associated Press

CANTON, Ohio - Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Neil Hedrick has one week to lose 68 pounds or he'll be suspended from his job.

Trooper Hedrick of the patrol's Massillon post says he's tried weight-loss programs, herbs, acupuncture and diet pills to try to get down to 212 pounds - the maximum weight limit set by the patrol for someone 6 feet tall and over 40 - but nothing has worked.

Trooper Hedrick said the diet pills prevented him from sleeping. He signed up for a Jenny Craig weight loss program, but dropped out because it got too expensive. The trooper went to several seminars. He even considered getting his stomach stapled but backed out because of potential side effects.

Trooper Hedrick, 45, would lose weight, but never enough. And he always gained it back.

"I've probably been on a diet every two months my whole career."

Now, despite 25 years with the patrol and several awards for good performance, he's on the verge of losing his job and a quarter of his pension.

Unless Trooper Hedrick can lose more than 68 pounds by New Year's Day, the patrol will suspend him without pay.

He will then have one year to get under the 212 weight limit or be fired - and then he would get only 75 percent of his pension because he's about 15 months short of full retirement.

Trooper Hedrick said it is unfair because his weight, which has bounced between 220 pounds and 300 pounds, doesn't affect how he does his job.

"The people that I work with out here all feel I've been very competent," said Trooper Hedrick, who was the district's trooper of the year in 1995 and a pistol-shooting medallist. "None of them want me to leave. They've all told me how unfair they think this is.

"I know I'm overweight. I'd be the first to admit that I'd fail in a long foot pursuit."

He's in good health otherwise, he said.

The patrol has a fitness requirement that the troopers union has endorsed, patrol spokesman Gary Lewis said. The weight limit, which also takes body fat into account, helps troopers perform their duty and increases life expectancy in a dangerous job.

Mr. Lewis added that out of 1,500 troopers on the force, Trooper Hedrick is one of fewer than 10 who have been unable to comply with the requirement.

"He's had two years to come into compliance," Mr. Lewis said. "In addition to two years, he's had three months' extension."

Trooper Hedrick said he has frequently been suspended for a few days because of his weight. The stress of the last few years, including a divorce, has made it harder for him to lose weight.

His ex-wife, Elizabeth Hedrick, has contacted area legislators and Gov. Bob Taft seeking help.

"The disciplinary actions of the OSHP send a message that ... if you are fat, you are of no use to us despite your ability to perform your job," she wrote to Mr. Taft. "How can anyone in a position of authority justify the firing of highly regarded state troopers because of their appearance?" With two boys ages 4 and 7, she counts on Trooper Hedrick's salary for child support.

Miriam Berg, president of the Council on Size and Weight Discrimination, based in Mount Marion, N.Y., sent Trooper Hedrick a letter suggesting he file a lawsuit to overturn the weight requirements.

But Trooper Hedrick isn't an advocate - he just wants to keep his job. "I don't know what I'm going to do right now," he said. "I haven't been unemployed in my life."