Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens today chose Lt. Col. Sandra Karsten - the Highway Patrol's second-in-command - to be the statewide agency's new leader.
Although state law says the patrol's superintendent serves "at the pleasure of the governor," the Missouri Senate must confirm the appointment.
Karsten would succeed Col. J. Bret Johnson, whose retirement began today.
She is the patrol's first female officer to be promoted to the ranks of lieutenant, captain, major and lieutenant colonel in the patrol's 81-year history.
She's been the second-in-command since December 2012 - when Col. Ron Replogle was the superintendent.
Karsten told the News Tribune's HER Magazine in May 2014 that her days mostly were spent in the office, focused on administrative tasks and providing direct oversight for the Professional Standards Division.
When the superintendent was away, she also oversaw the entire agency and often was involved in legislative issues affecting the patrol.
"I serve at the pleasure of the colonel, and when he's away the buck does stop with me," Karsten said in 2014.
As the second-in-command, Karsten, 53, has been a part of the patrol's command staff that also included the superintendent and the six majors who oversee the agency's various divisions.
"When I started out there were seven women in uniform, and now there are 64," Karsten said in 2014. "We are a diverse organization offering a wide variety of career opportunities for troopers - be they male or female."
Related article: Sandy Karsten was featured in Women in Uniform, the cover story for the May-June 2014 issue of HER Magazine.