Humboldt native earns KHP promotion

Humboldt native Chris Woods has been promoted to captain with the Kansas Highway Patrol. He will serve as commander over Troop H, which oversees 16 counties in Southeast Kansas.

Local News

July 9, 2026 - 2:15 PM

Chris Woods

Humboldt native Chris Woods, who has served with the Kansas Highway Patrol for the past 18 years, has been promoted to captain.

With the promotion, Woods will serve as Commander for Troop H, overseeing 16 counties in Southeast Kansas.

The promotion was announced this week by KHP Superintendent Col. Erik Smith.

Woods is a graduate of Humboldt High School. He later attended Allen Community College and Pittsburg State University, where he earned a degree in justice studies and psychology.

Prior to joining the Patrol, Woods served with the Springfield Police Department in Springfield, Mo., and the Pittsburg Police Department.

Woods joined KHP on July 9, 2008. After completing the KHP Training Academy, he was assigned to Allen County. He was promoted to the rank of Master Trooper in 2013 and  to Lieutenant in 2021, a position he held until his most recent promotion.

In addition to his primary duties, Woods also served as a field training officer from 2014 to 2021. 

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