Wednesday, Mar. 7, 2007

Gov. John Lynch's office issued the following press release this afternoon:

CONCORD -- Gov. John Lynch announced today he will nominate John Barthelmes to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Safety at Thursday's Governor and Council meeting. The Executive Council must confirm the nomination.

"One of state government's most fundamental responsibilities is to protect the safety of our citizens, and I am confident that John Barthelmes has the experience and knowledge necessary to lead this effort at the Department of Safety.

"John Barthelmes is a proven leader with in-depth knowledge of the agency and New Hampshire law enforcement, the integrity, and the management skills necessary to run the Department of Safety. John Barthelmes will bring to the job a lifetime of professional experience - from patrolling the roads of the North Country to Colonel of State Police to leading a New England-wide effort to capture drug traffickers," Gov. Lynch said.

Barthelmes was appointed Colonel of the New Hampshire State Police in 1996 by Gov. Stephen Merrill. He was reappointed by Gov. Jeanne Shaheen in 1998 and served as colonel until 1999. Currently, Barthelmes is the director of the New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, a program that provides resources to federal, state and local law enforcement to combat drug trafficking in the New England region and enhances communications between various law enforcement agencies.

"I am honored Governor Lynch has nominated me to the position. I hope to have the opportunity to again work with the wonderful people at the Department of Safety and to serve the people of New Hampshire. I look forward to meeting with the councilors," Barthelmes said.

Barthelmes received his bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts in 1975. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

In 1976, he joined the New Hampshire State Police, and was assigned to northern New Hampshire. As a sergeant, Barthelmes was assigned to the State Police Major Crime Unit in 1983, where his primary investigative responsibility was homicide. In 1989, he was promoted to lieutenant, and became the commander of the unit.

Prior to being named colonel, Barthelmes was promoted to captain in 1993 and assigned to command the Investigative Services Bureau. In that role, he administered all components of the bureau including the Narcotics Investigation, Major Crimes, and Special Investigations units.

Barthelmes lives in Hopkinton with his wife Jadean. They have two grown daughters.