Wyoming Governor Appoints Cox to Lead Transportation Department

Col. John Cox is Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal's choice to become the next director of the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

For the past seven years, Cox, 49, has served as administrator of the Wyoming Highway Patrol. At full staff, he oversees about 190 uniformed officers and many other Wyoming Highway Patrol personnel. His first job with the patrol was in 1978 as a trooper based in Rock Springs.

As patrol administrator, Cox led the most comprehensive reorganization of the patrol since the 1960s, improving efficiency and communications and giving more decision-making authority to supervisors in the field.

Cox's career in law enforcement has included 11 years as chief of police in Powell, five years as a division supervisor in the Douglas Police Department, a year and a half as a state trooper and positions with the Converse County Sheriff's Department and the Chadron (Neb.) Police Department.

He has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the International University of Missouri and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the FBI's law enforcement executive development course.

Director Sleeter Dover, who has led the department since 2000, plans to retire Jan. 6. He said he fully supported the governor's choice. Cox's appointment as director maintains organizational continuity, historical perspective and familial ties, Dover said.