HELENA –Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced today the appointment of Kurt Sager as colonel, and head, of the Montana Highway Patrol. Prior to his appointment, Sager served as lieutenant colonel with 21 years of service to the agency and people of Montana.

“Over the last two decades with the Patrol, Kurt has proven to be a great leader,” Attorney General Knudsen said. “I am confident he has the experience and leadership skills necessary to face the public safety challenges we’re experiencing in Montana. I look forward to working with him to continue to serve and protect Montanans.”

“I am grateful to Attorney General Knudsen for the trust he’s placed in me to lead the Highway Patrol,” Colonel Sager said. “Our troopers are some of the best and bravest in the nation and it’s an honor to serve alongside them in our mission to keep Montanans safe.”

Colonel Sager served as the interim head of the Patrol, following former Colonel Steve Lavin’s retirement earlier this month. He began his career with MHP in 2003 as a trooper in Northeastern Montana. He served as a sergeant in Helena, captain in Great Falls, and a major at Patrol headquarters, prior to becoming lieutenant colonel in 2023. He also oversaw the successful relocation of MHP headquarters from Helena to Boulder in 2021.