Governor Kelly appoints Herman Jones superintendent of KHP

(Courtesy of the Governor’s Office)

TOPEKA, Kan. — Governor Laura Kelly today announced Shawnee County Sheriff Herman Jones as the next superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol.

“Sheriff Jones has 40 years of impressive and diverse law enforcement experience,” Governor Kelly said. “He has worked in municipal, county, and state law enforcement and he has been a leader in law enforcement training and education. Sheriff Jones is the right person to lead the Kansas Highway Patrol at this critical time.”

Jones began his law enforcement career as a police officer with the Emporia Police Department. He then served as a state trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol from 1982 to 1992. Later, he was an instructor at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.

“I’m honored to be selected by Governor Kelly to serve in this important law enforcement position,” said Jones. “I’ve dedicated my career to public safety and look forward to again working with the women and men of the Kansas Highway Patrol to strengthen our agency and improve public safety across Kansas.”

Jones returned to the Kansas Highway Patrol as the director of administration from 2000 to 2011. In 2011, he became Undersheriff of Shawnee County for Sheriff Richard Barta. Jones was later appointed Shawnee County Sheriff in April 2012, elected in November 2012 and re-elected in 2016.

Jones is a graduate of Emporia State University, the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, the Kansas Highway Patrol Academy, and the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. 

Jones will replace Colonel Mark Bruce who decided to leave the agency. Lieutenant Colonel Randy Moon, the assistant superintendent, also decided to leave the agency. Major Jason De Vore will immediately serve as acting superintendent until April 3, 2019, when Jones takes command of the Kansas Highway Patrol.