Colonel Eric T. Olson
Governor Michael Parson appointed Eric T. Olson to become the 24th superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol on March 5, 2019. The Missouri Senate confirmed his appointment Thursday, March 14, 2019. As a result of his confirmation, he has been elevated to the rank of colonel.
Colonel 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. Olson transferred to Zone 8, Maysville, on September 1, 1992. 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. On March 9, 2017, he was promoted to to the rank of lieutenant colonel where he served as a member of the Patrol's command staff. As assistant superintendent, Olson acted in the superintendent's absence and had direct oversight responsibility for the Professional Standards Division, Public Information and Education Division, and the Office of Community Engagement and Outreach.
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. Colonel Olson and his wife, Ronda (Willis), have two sons, Lance and Garett.