Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius plans to name a new Kansas Highway Patrol superintendent this week, following the retirement of Col. Don Brownlee.

Sebelius scheduled a news conference for 10 a.m. Thursday, but spokeswoman Nicole Corcoran-Basso said it’s not certain the governor would make the announcement then.

“It will be later this week,” Corcoran-Basso said.

Brownlee’s last day was Saturday. He joined the patrol as a trooper in Sedgwick County in 1974, rising through the ranks before his appointment as superintendent by then-Gov. Bill Graves in March 1999.

Patrol spokesman Lt. John Eichkorn said Brownlee had been considering retirement for some time and thought last week was the best time to leave.

Corcoran-Basso said Sebelius is disappointed to see Brownlee retire.

“He’s served the state well for nearly 30 years,” Corcoran-Basso said. “He is well-respected, and she wishes him well.”

Brownlee was the 17th person to head the patrol since its inception in 1937.

After joining the patrol, Brownlee served as a field commander in Pittsburg, assistant troop commander in Chanute, troop commander in Topeka, state operations commander and assistant superintendent.

In 1988, Brownlee helped create the patrol’s Professional Standards Unit, which investigates complaints about troopers and other patrol personnel.

Until Sebelius names his replacement, the patrol’s second-in-command, Lt. Col. Terry Maple, will handle the superintendent’s duties.