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
Q3102017-1 (573) 526-6115

March 10, 2017
EMPHASIS: Major Eric T. Olson Promoted To Lieutenant Colonel

Colonel Sandra K. Karsten, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the following promotion effective March 9, 2017:

Major Eric T. Olson has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, where he will serve as the assistant superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. In addition to acting in the superintendent’s absence and at her request, Lieutenant Colonel Olson will have direct oversight over the Professional Standards Division and Public Information and Education Division.

Olson was appointed to the Patrol on July 1, 1990, as a member of the 63rd Recruit Class. Upon completing his training at the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop H, Zone 4, Mercer County. On September 1, 1992, Olson transferred to Zone 8, DeKalb County. On August 1, 1995, he was promoted to corporal and designated assistant zone supervisor of Zone 1, Holt County. Olson was promoted to sergeant on October 1, 1997, and designated zone supervisor of Zone 3, Harrison County. He was promoted to lieutenant on July 25, 2004, and assigned to Troop B Headquarters in Macon, MO. On July 1, 2014, Olson was promoted to the rank of captain and designated commanding officer of Troop A, Lee’s Summit. On May 1, 2015, he transferred to the Division of Drug & Crime Control where he served as director. Olson was promoted to major on January 1, 2017, where he served as commander of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, General Headquarters, Jefferson City, MO. In that capacity, Olson had direct oversight responsibility for the Crime Laboratory Division, Division of Drug & Crime Control, Gaming Division, and Missouri Information Analysis Center.

Lieutenant Colonel Olson grew up in Chillicothe, MO. He graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1986. Olson earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from William Jewell College in Liberty, MO, in 1990. He completed the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, in June 2011. Lieutenant Colonel Olson and his wife, Ronda (Willis), have two sons, Lance and Garett.


A photo is available below this news release on the Patrol’s website.
(###)

OLSON_ERIC T MAJOR.jpgOLSON_ERIC T MAJOR.jpg