A retired Army colonel who is accused of driving drunk in a fatal hit-and-run that killed a state trooper faces three felony charges and two misdemeanor charges in connection with the accident.

Eric Peter Henderson, 52, faces felony charges of hit-and-run, vehicular homicide and tampering with evidence, said District Attorney George Brauchler. He also faces two misdemeanor charges of drunken driving.

Brauchler, who like Henderson is a military veteran, said being a veteran “is not a get out of jail free card” and his status doesn’t mean he’ll be treated less severely than anyone else.

Henderson, of Peyton, faces a possible sentence of 25 years and 6 months in prison on the charges related to the death of Trooper Jaimie Jursevics.

Jursevics, 33, was killed the night of Nov. 15 on Interstate 25 in Castle Rock when she was allegedly struck by Henderson, who spent the day drinking at a Broncos game in Denver, authorities say.

Scott Hernandez, the patrol’s chief, said in the Friday hearing in Castle Rock that the case has been difficult.

“We’re together on this,” he said. “We will never forget. It’s a devastating impact.”

Henderson, who wore a dark pin-striped suit, did not speak during the hearing. Neither he nor his attorney commented after it. Henderson, who is free after posting $500,000 bail, will next appear in court Feb. 5 for his preliminary hearing.

While in custody at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Henderson said “I killed a cop” and appeared to cry, according to his arrest affidavit.

Henderson retired from the Army in June 2013 after a 27-year career, according to a news release. He was the chief of operations for the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command in his final post.