Former Callaway trooper discusses advancement

Highway Patrol Lt. Col. Sandra Karsten
Highway Patrol Lt. Col. Sandra Karsten

 

Back in the mid-1980s when Lt. Col. Sandy Karsten was a brand-new state trooper, she plied the highways and byways of Callaway County, living the dream.

"Harry Lee was the sheriff," she remembered. "Interstate 70 did not have the median barriers, and in Kingdom City, there was the old Gaspers truck stop there were no stop lights in Kingdom City."

On Feb. 1, Karsten was named the new superintendent of the Missouri Highway Patrol by new Gov. Eric Greitens, and her confirmation is still in process. But her start was in Callaway County.

The Petro truck stop in Kingdom City didn't exist. Further complicating roads: the Callaway Nuclear Generating Station was being refueled and traffic was rerouted away from that endeavor. U.S. Route 54 was a two-lane road traveling south to Holts Summit before four lanes were added.

People didn't drive much slower, but the traffic was a lot lighter. The county was just a different scene, Karsten added.

"There's been a lot of changes in highway design, highway engineering," she said.

And there have been many changes in gender, too. Karsten is the first female to be named superintendent. She also was the first to be promoted to the ranks of lieutenant, captain, major and lieutenant colonel - then assistant superintendent. Before she can be sworn in, she will have to appear before a Senate committee, and then the recommendation will go to the full state Senate for vote. Then, the swearing-in ceremony can be scheduled.

"There's a few more steps involved," she said.

Karsten's first experience with the Missouri Highway Patrol goes back to age 17, when she attended Putnam County High in Unionville. She grew up on a farm, loved the outdoors and was involved in 4-H.

"I was writing for the high school newspaper," she said.

Her editor asked Karsten to do a story about the American Legion Cadet Patrol Academy, a program taking 16-18 year olds to Jefferson City for a week of boot camp, room inspections and drills.

"I thought, 'That sounds interesting,'" she said, adding she submitted her application and was accepted.

Karsten followed a plan. She received a bachelors of science degree in criminal justice from Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State) in 1985. That September, she was hired by Patrol and enrolled in its academy. She graduate the following February in the 57th class, one of three women among 50 graduating recruits.

"There were seven females on Patrol," she said of those days. "Now there are 71. We've grown a lot in the last 30 years with diversity."

Her first assignment was Callaway County. Sometimes, she worked alongside Roger Rice, now a major with Fulton Police.

"I knew her when she was a trooper here, and she was a great person to work with," he said. "I worked cases with her and you couldn't ask for a nicer person."

In all, Karsten spent nine years as a trooper before being promoted to sergeant. She met her husband Tim (a former Fulton Middle School coach) in the early 1990s, and they had two sons. She worked all kinds of jobs within the state highway patrol, seeing Troop F's incarnation.

She said her 10 years as director of the Human Resources Division taught her to deeply value her coworkers.

"I think my perspective is unique," Karsten said. "I came to have deep appreciation for our employees. I also have appreciation for the quality of people who work for the highway patrol."

There are about 1,240 troopers, and then there's everyone else - about 2,400 in all. To those females who would consider a life in the Missouri Highway Patrol, she would say this: "You have to commit to it, and make sure you are taking steps to make that commitment a reality. I always encourage people to make wise choices."

That means being with people who encourage, not discourage, she said.

Rice said he's well pleased about Karsten's probable advancement to superintendent.

"She worked hard for it and deserves it," he said.

Safety is a top priority for Karsten, from the troopers to the investigators to those working in the drivers examination division, testing unlicensed drivers.

"Safety is paramount," she said. "I want to be able to work with the legislature and the Department of Public Safety and the Governor to make sure we have the tools to make our (employees) safe."

The Missouri Highway Patrol is a huge organization with members who face danger on a daily basis. That kind of responsibility can keep a person up at night.

"It's a very large organization and very involved," she said, adding she will pull from her own well. "All your life experience comes into play."