Mike Thompson

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OKDPS_Commissioner_ThompsonAs a citizen Soldier, Mike Thompson has a distinguished public service career. Thompson has over 30 years of service with the state of Oklahoma, including 25 years with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, graduating from the 45th Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy in 1990. Thompson rose to the rank of Major with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol before being appointed by Governor Mary Fallin as the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. As the Commissioner, Thompson has a dual responsibility to serve as the Cabinet Secretary for Safety and Security. The Governor’s Safety and Security cabinet includes all of Oklahoma’s state law enforcement agencies.

In his military capacity, Brigadier General Michael Thompson is assigned as the Assistant Adjutant General for the Oklahoma National Guard. Thompson recently commanded the 90th Troop Command and led over 2000 Soldiers. Thompson began his military career when he enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 1983. Brigadier General Thompson received his commission in 1986 through Officer Candidate School, as an Infantry Second Lieutenant.

Thompson’s notable command assignments include; Brigade Commander, Battalion Commander, Security Force (SECFOR) Commander and Company Commander. As the Commander of the 1-279th Infantry Battalion, Colonel Thompson’s battalion led the way in providing relief and support to the city of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. His battalion was alerted and deployed to New Orleans in less than 48 hours. As a Major, during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, Brigadier General Thompson commanded a SECFOR that was the first Infantry unit of Oklahoma Soldiers to earn the Combat Infantry Badge since the Korean War. As a Captain, Brigadier General Thompson was one of the first responders to the 1995 Alfred P. Murrah bombing in Oklahoma City. During Brigadier General Thompson’s most recent combat deployment he served as the Chief of Staff for the Joint Area Support Group in Baghdad, Iraq.

Brigadier General Thompson’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (2), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3), and Global War on Terrorism Expedition medal, Air Assault Badge, Combat Action Badge and the Combat Infantry Badge.

Thompson earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Langston University, and a Master of Science from Oklahoma State University. Thompson is a graduate of the resident Army War College, where he earned a second graduate degree, a Master of Strategic Studies. Thompson has been accepted in, and has completed course work towards a doctorate degree at Oklahoma State University. Thompson is a graduate of the 208th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va for senior law enforcement officials. Thompson also is a graduate of the Certified Public Manager’s Program offered by Oklahoma’s office of Personnel Management, a proud member of Leadership Oklahoma class XXVI and most recently has been recognized as a Henry Toll Fellow through the Council of State Government.

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