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
Q8253017 (573) 526-6115

August 25, 2017
EMPHASIS: Colonel Sandra K. Karsten Announces Promotions, Transfer


Colonel Sandra K. Karsten, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the following promotions and transfer effective September 1, 2017:

Captain Lance M. MacLaughlin is being promoted to the rank of major and designated commander of the Executive Services Bureau, General Headquarters, Jefferson City. Major McLaughlin will have oversight responsibility for the Budget and Procurement Division, Research and Development Division, and legislative liaison.

MacLaughlin joined the Patrol on July 1, 1995, as a member of the 70th Recruit Class. Upon graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, Zone 1, Platte County. He transferred to Zone 10, Saline County, in May 1997. MacLaughlin was promoted to corporal on August 1, 2001, and was designated assistant zone supervisor of Zone 10. On November 16, 2003, he was promoted to sergeant and designated zone supervisor of Zone 16, Benton County. On January 1, 2006, he transferred to the Training Division, General Headquarters, Jefferson City, as an instructor. In August of that same year, he transferred to the Professional Standards Division. MacLaughlin was promoted to lieutenant on July 1, 2007. He was designated assistant director of the Professional Standards Division on June 1, 2011. He was promoted to captain and designated director of the Budget and Procurement Division on September 1, 2012.

Major MacLaughlin was born in Fort Benning, GA. He graduated from Marshal High School, Marshall, MO, in 1988. He earned a Bachelor of Science in sociology from Missouri Valley College, Marshall, MO, in 1991. In 2000, he earned his Master of Science in criminal justice administration from the University of Central Missouri (then Central Missouri State University). Major MacLaughlin and his wife, Teri, have four sons, Bradley, Ian, Conner, and Cooper.

Sergeant Michael A. Halford is being promoted to lieutenant and will remain assigned to the Field Operations Bureau, General Headquarters, Jefferson City.

Halford was appointed to the Patrol on February 1, 1998, as a member of the 75th Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop F, Zone 7, Howard and Cooper counties. He was promoted to corporal and designated assistant zone supervisor of Troop F, Zone 8, Callaway County, on November 16, 2003. He transferred to Troop F, Zone 2, Cole and Callaway counties on May 13, 2007. Halford was promoted to sergeant and designated zone supervisor of Troop F, Zone 3, Boone County. On August 1, 2017, he transferred to the Field Operations Bureau.

Lieutenant Halford was born in Columbia, MO, and graduated from Central High School in St. Joseph, MO. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph, MO. Lt. Halford and his wife, Ashley (Brown), have one daughter, Brooke.


Lieutenant Michael W. Watson, Q/FOB, is transferring to the Executive Services Bureau, General Headquarters, Jefferson City, where he will serve as the Patrol’s legislative liaison.

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.

Lieutenant 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. Lt. Watson and his wife, Camron (Becker), have two children, Keegan and Katherine Watson.



Photos of these officers are available with this news release on the Patrol’s web site.

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