(LITTLE ROCK) – Captain Mike Hagar, 44, of Faulkner County, commander of the Arkansas State Police Executive Protection Section, has accepted a lateral transfer approved by Colonel Bill Bryant, Director of the Arkansas State Police, to Highway Patrol Division, Troop A, headquartered at Little Rock.

  Captain Hagar will assume duties as commander of Troop A upon the retirement of Captain Alex Finger.  Captain Hagar is a twenty-one year veteran of the department.

  During a meeting of the Arkansas State Police Commission today, commissioners approved the following recommendations for promotion presented for consideration by Colonel Bryant:

  Special Agent (Corporal) John Blackmon, 38, of Pulaski County, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sergeant Blackmon, an eleven year veteran of the department, will assume new duties as a supervisor within the Criminal Investigation Division, Company C, headquartered at Hope.

  Special Agent (Corporal) Ted Jones, 52, of Van Buren County, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sergeant Jones, a nine year veteran of the department, will assume new duties as a supervisor within the Criminal Investigation Division, Company E, headquartered at Harrison.