Montana patrol chief retires, cites comments made

HELENA (AP) — The chief of the Montana Highway Patrol is retiring, citing remarks made to subordinates, but he did not elaborate what the remarks were when making the announcement Friday.

"I regret that I have made inappropriate remarks to subordinates that have compromised my ability to effectively lead Montana's Highway Patrol by example," Col. Kenton Hickethier said in an email statement late afternoon. "Therefore, I have chosen to retire from the Patrol. I am sorry for these mistakes and any harm they may have brought to Montana's finest law enforcement agency, which has been the center of my life for the last 28 years."

Hickethier's retirement is effective Sept. 30, but he is on leave until then. He took office in February.

Montana Department of Justice spokesman John Barnes said officials are conducting a required legal analysis to determine what they can release from Hickethier's personnel file regarding his comments. He said that could happen next week after the analysis is done, but on Friday could not elaborate on Hickethier's prepared statement.

"That part of the release is his statement and that's what he chose to say," he said.

Montana Attorney General Tim Fox will appoint a successor. But for now, Lt. Cols. Greg Watson and Tom Butler are in command.

"I am grateful to Colonel Hickethier for his many years of service to his country and to Montana," Fox said in a statement.