Michael C. Thompson

Colonel Michael C. Thompson (ANG) is an American military officer and police officer from Oklahoma. Thompson is currently serves in the Oklahoma Highway Patrol with the rank of OHP Major and is a member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard with the rank of Colonel. Governor-elect Mary Fallin has nominated Thompson to serve as the dual-hatted role of Oklahoma Secretary of Safety and Security as well as Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety in her Administration.

Biography

Thompson earned a bachelors degree from Langston University. He holds a masters degree in applied science from Oklahoma State University and a masters degree in national security and strategic studies from the United States Army War College. Thompson has graduated from both the FBI National Academy and the United States Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center.

Thompson has served over a decade in the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, currently serving with the rank of OHP Major. As OHP Major, Thompson serves as a Zone Commander for the Patrol and has jurisdiction over the Lawton, Altus, Clinton, McAlester and Durant field commands. Thompson is also an active member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard with the rank of Colonel. As an Army Colonel, Thompson serves as the commander of the 90th Troop Command for the Army Guard. As an Army officer, Thompson has been awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge after his two tours of duty during the Iraq War. He also received the Humanitarian Service Medal after his deployment to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

On December 20, 2010, Governor-elect Mary Fallin announced that she has selected Thompson to serve in the dual-hatted role of Oklahoma Secretary of Safety and Security as well as Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety in her Administration.^[1] If confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate, Thompson will be the first African American to serve in either position.^[2]

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