Fallin Names Michael C. Thompson To Cabinet

National Guard Colonel
First African-American
Selected For Top Posts

Governor-elect Mary Fallin today selected Michael C. Thompson as her nominee for secretary of safety and security and commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.

Thompson is currently serving as a zone commander in the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, where he supervises OHP field commands in Lawton, Altus, Clinton, McAlester and Durant.

He is also a colonel in the Oklahoma National Guard, where he serves as commander of the 90th Troop Command.

If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the first African American to serve as either DPS commissioner or secretary of safety and security.

“Michael Thompson has dedicated his life to protecting the people of Oklahoma and the United States,” said Fallin. “I am happy to be given the opportunity to select a DPS commissioner whose competence and commitment to our state have been proven many times over.”

Thompson is a combat veteran who was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge after two tours of duty in Iraq. He also received the Humanitarian Service Medal after his deployment to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Thompson earned a graduate degree in applied science from Oklahoma State University and a graduate degree in national security and strategic studies from the United States Army War College. He is also a graduate of both the FBI National Academy and the Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center. He received his undergraduate degree from Langston University.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to continue to serve the people of Oklahoma,” said Thompson. “I am looking forward to working with Governor-elect Fallin to keep our citizens safe.”

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