FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 4, 2019

Governor Mary Fallin Applauds Adjutant General’s Induction into Oklahoma’s Law Enforcement Hall of Fame

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today congratulated Adjutant General Michael C. Thompson on being inducted into the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame.

Thompson, who serves as secretary of the military on Fallin’s executive Cabinet, is among four inductees being honored during the 10^th annual law enforcement hall of fame induction ceremony Saturday at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.

Thompson has served on Fallin’s Cabinet throughout her eight years as governor. In 2011, she appointed Thompson, who began his public service career with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections before joining the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in 1990, public safety commissioner and as her secretary of safety and security. Fallin last year named Thompson adjutant general and secretary of the military. As adjutant general, Thompson has the responsibility for training and equipping 9,500 soldiers and airmen for the Oklahoma Air and Army National Guard.

“Congratulation to General Thompson on being recognized for his professionalism and integrity that he has exhibited throughout his distinguished law enforcement career,” said Fallin. “He was a dedicated state trooper and a respected leader with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. He did a tremendous job as public safety commissioner, and is serving the state well as Oklahoma’s adjutant general and commander of our soldiers and airmen.”

“I thank Governor Fallin for her trust in me in giving me the opportunity to lead the Department of Public Safety. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the state of Oklahoma as public safety commissioner and as a longtime member of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. I appreciate all the good men and women of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol who I worked with over the last 28 years.”

Thompson earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Langston University, and a Master of Science from Oklahoma State University. He 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, Virginia, for senior law enforcement officials.

Thompson and his wife, Debbie, reside in Edmond. They have two children, Maj. Brandon Thompson, serving in the Army, and Jared Thompson, an Afghanistan combat veteran currently in medical school. Thompson’s daughter-in-law, Roxie, also serves as a captain on active duty in the Army.

Other law enforcement half off fame inductees are:

• Mike Huff, who had a varied career on the Tulsa Police Department, but is most known for his work on the homicide of Tulsa businessman Roger Wheeler. 
• David Real (deceased), best known for his expertise as a polygraph examiner.
• Gayle Wells, who as chief of the Grove Police Department was instrumental in upgrading the training program, improving the 911 Communications Center, initiating computerized reporting, and beginning the use of in-car cameras.

The ceremony begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City. The public is welcome to attend this free event.

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Michael C. Thompson