John O’Rourke has been named the colonel in charge of the Nevada Highway Patrol.
He has served more than 20 years with the department in multiple positions and has been acting colonel for several months. He will officially assume command of the NHP on Monday.
He is the first NHP trooper to have been awarded the International Association of Chiefs of Police Mountain Pacific Trooper of the Year award. He is also a Gold Star Medal of Valor recipient.