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Covering state lawmakers, bills, and policy emerging from Jefferson City.

Juden out as public safety director; Parson names Karsten as interim leader

Charles "Drew" Juden was one of former Gov. Eric Greitens' earliest picks for his Cabinet. Juden will step down as Department of Public Safety director on Aug. 31.
File photo | Stephanie Lecci | St. Louis Public Radio
Charles "Drew" Juden was one of former Gov. Eric Greitens' earliest picks for his Cabinet. Juden will step down as Department of Public Safety director on Aug. 31.

Gov. Mike Parson is replacing one of the Missouri Cabinet members he inherited from former Gov. Eric Greitens.

Charles “Drew” Juden has served as public safety director since January 2017. He was among three Cabinet picks Greitens announced before his inauguration.

Col. Sandra Karsten, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, will serve as interim director while a search for a successor is conducted. She will continue to head the Highway Patrol as well.

“Col. Karsten has a track record of being a top-notch professional and an exemplary public servant,” Parson said. “We are confident in her leadership during this transition.”

Juden will leave his post at the end of the month.

Col. Sandra Karsten
Credit Missouri State Highway Patrol
Col. Sandra Karsten

Parson didn't comment on why he's making the change, but wished Juden well in a written statement.

“Drew is a well accomplished public servant,” he said. “We appreciate his time and service to the State of Missouri.”

In addition to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Department of Public Safety oversees several other divisions:

  • Missouri National Guard
  • State Emergency Management Agency
  • State Fire Marshal’s office
  • Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control
  • Missouri Capitol Police
  • Missouri Veterans Commission
  • Missouri Gaming Commission


Three days after taking office in June, Parson told reporters he had no intention of replacing any of Greitens’ chosen agency heads.

“Gov. Greitens brought together a good team to the state of Missouri,” he said. “All I want to do is be a resource for them.”

Parson’s press secretary, Kelli Jones, said Friday that the governor has the right to look “in a different direction” for an agency director.

Juden formerly served as chief for both the police and fire departments in Sikeston, Missouri.

Follow Marshall on Twitter: @MarshallGReport

Copyright 2018 St. Louis Public Radio

St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.