Montana Highway Patrol Has A New Colonel

Announced by Attorney General Austin Knudsen on April 2nd, 2024, The Montana Highway Patrol welcomed their new MHP Colonel, Kurt Sager.

Colonel Sager will serve as the colonel, and head, of the Montana Highway Patrol. Previously, Sager served as a lieutenant colonel with 21 years of service to the agency and Montanans.

Colonel Sager served as the interim head of the Montana Highway Patrol, following former Colonel Steve Lavin's retirement last month.

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Colonel Sager began his career with the Montana Highway Patrol in 2003, as a trooper in Northeastern Montana. He served as a sergeant in Helena, captain in Great Falls, and a major at the MHP Headquarters prior to being named Colonel. He also oversaw the relocation of the Montana Highway Patrol Headquarters from Helena to Boulder in 2021.

Attorney General Austin Knudsen shared his thoughts on this transition:

Over the last two decades with the Patrol, Kurt has proven to be a great leader. I am confident he has the experience and leadership skills necessary to face the public safety challenges we’re experiencing in Montana. I look forward to working with him to continue to serve and protect Montanans.

And newly named Colonel Sager responded with his own thoughts:

I am grateful to Attorney General Knudsen for the trust he’s placed in me to lead the Highway Patrol. Our troopers are some of the best and bravest in the nation and it’s an honor to serve alongside them in our mission to keep Montanans safe.