MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
A Division Of The
Department of Public Safety
Public Information and Education Division - PO Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102
NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. John J. Hotz
Q8112022-1 (573) 526-6115

August 11, 2022
EMPHASIS: Captain Michael W. Watson Retires September 1, 2022.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol announces the following retirement:

Captain Michael W. Watson, director of the Budget and Procurement Division, General Headquarters, Jefferson City, MO, will retire effective September 1, 2022, after over 30 years of dedicated service.

Watson was appointed to the Patrol on January 1, 1992, as a member of the 64th Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop D, Zone 5, Jasper County. On July 1, 1997, he was promoted to the rank of corporal and designated assistant zone supervisor of Zone 11, Jasper County. Watson was promoted to sergeant and designated zone supervisor of Zone 5 on May 5, 2002. On April 1, 2008, he transferred to Troop D Headquarters as one of the troop’s public information and education officers. Watson was promoted to lieutenant, transferred to Field Operations Bureau, General Headquarters, Jefferson City, and designated homeland security liaison on May 1, 2015. On September 1, 2017, he transferred to the Executive Services Bureau, General Headquarters, where he served as the Patrol’s legislative liaison. On July 1, 2018, Watson was promoted to captain and designated director of the Budget and Procurement Division, General Headquarters.

Captain Watson was born in Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He graduated from Branson Senior High School, in Branson, MO, in 1986. He earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice administration from what is now the University of Central Missouri-Warrensburg. In 2019, he completed Police Leadership: The West Point Model executive level course. Capt. Watson and his wife, Camron (Becker), have two children, Keegan and Katherine Watson.

A photo of Capt. Watson is posted with this news release on the Patrol’s website.

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