PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – An assistant superintendent with the South Dakota Highway Patrol has been named the agency’s next leader.

Forty-three-year-old Maj. Rick Miller, of Pierre, is currently in charge of administrative services and special operations. He’ll succeed Col. Craig Price as superintendent. Gov. Kristi Noem named Price secretary of the state Department of Public Safety.

Miller is a Watertown native and former U.S. Marine. He has been with the Highway Patrol for almost 18 years, serving as a trooper and as a police dog handler.

An official transfer-of-command ceremony will be held later. Miller will be promoted to the rank of colonel and will become the 14th superintendent in the history of the Highway Patrol, which was established in 1937. The agency has 193 troopers and 85 civilian staff.

AP-WF-05-14-19