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Nixon announces new head of Highway Patrol

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Hours before lawmakers are set to gather for a hearing about decision-making from Gov. Jay Nixon’s office related to events in Ferguson, Nixon announced the stepping down of Missouri Highway Patrol Superintendent, Col. Ron Replogle.

Replogle has served in the post for 5 years, much of Nixon’s tenure, and was charged with leading the state’s highway patrol during the unrest in Ferguson after Officer Darren Wilson shot and killed the unarmed Mike Brown.

“Col. Replogle has been every bit the leader I expected — demonstrating courage, conviction, intelligence, and integrity,” Nixon said. “Ron Replogle and the Patrol have continued to lead, not just on the roads and in criminal investigations, but through fire and ice, floods and a record drought, a historic snowfall that closed Interstate-70, one of the largest and deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history, and assisting local law enforcement agencies across the state in their times of need.”

Replogle repeatedly said that the “only reason” he was stepping down — effective May 1 — was to spend more time with his family. While he didn’t mention Ferguson by name Replogle emphasized that there was “no other reason,” for the decision.

Highway Patrol Major Bret Johnson will succeed Replogle, and thanked Replogle for his service. Nixon’s announcement quickly delved into a lengthy series of questions from reporters about Nixon’s priorities and decision making process during Ferguson’s most violent nights.

“In the hierarchy of safety, human beings come before buildings,” Nixon said. “Buildings can be rebuilt. Businesses can be reopened. But a shot fired can’t be taken back, and a life lost is forever.”

Nixon’s announcement came as lawmakers prepare for the first hearing to publicly challenge whether Nixon’s decision not to march National Guard members into Ferguson’s most looted areas, and whether or not Nixon was pressured by other parties to downplay their presence in the protests.

Nixon, to his credit, flatly denied any pressure that led to his decision not to heavily deploy the guard on the night of Nov 24. He also told reporters he had concerns about pushing “professional soldiers” into the region and having “American soldiers pointing guns at American citizens.”

“Our priorities were speech and safety,” Nixon said. “I think everyone would agree there was a lot of speech. In terms of safety, not a single life was lost as a result of the events of Ferguson, and law enforcement didn’t fire a single shot.”

On Nov. 24, the night a grand jury decided not to charge Wilson with a crime, protests boiled over in some places to full-blown rights, complete with shots fired at police officers, burned out business, and looting. Some have criticized Nixon’s decision making that night, including Ferguson’s Mayor, James Knowles. Knowles and other critics noted the absence of visible Highway Patrol presence in areas where violence got the worst. Some union firefighters in early December issued a brief statement that they were unable to tend to several fires after looters fired weapons at them. Without a National Guard or law enforcement presence, Knowles and the firefighters accused Nixon of letting Ferguson burn.

Nixon said Johnson would begin working to become acclimated to his role over the next few weeks.