North Dakota Highway Patrol Superintendent Colonel Daniel Haugen announces the promotions and reassignment of Capt. Derek Arndt, Lt. Adrian Martinez, Sgt. Evan Savageau, and Trooper Michael Wald.
Captain Derek Arndt has been promoted to the rank of Major and will serve as Assistant Superintendent-Administration. Arndt joined the North Dakota Highway Patrol on January 1, 2007, after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from North Dakota State University. He attended the Highway Patrol Academy and graduated June 13, 2007. Trooper Arndt was initially stationed in Bismarck as a traffic enforcement trooper until January 1, 2014, when he transferred to Minot after being promoted to Sergeant. He served as a Regional Sergeant in Minot until July 31, 2014. He then transferred to the Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA) in Bismarck as a Field Training Officer where he served until July 31, 2021. On August 1, 2021, Arndt was named the Criminal Interdiction Sergeant for the newly formed Criminal Interdiction Team. On December 16, 2021, Arndt was promoted to Lieutenant and served as the Northwest Regional Commander in Minot until May 31, 2022. He transferred to Bismarck, serving as the Southwest Regional Commander until April 19, 2023. He then transferred to Headquarters to serve as the Deputy Operations Commander. On October 1, 2023, Arndt was promoted to Captain serving as the agency’s Administrative Services Division Commander at headquarters. Major Arndt began his duties as Assistant Superintendent Administration on July 1, 2025.
Lt. Adrian Martinez has been promoted to the rank of Captain and will serve as the agency’s Administrative Services Division Commander at Headquarters. Martinez earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Regis University in May 2009; a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in December 2010; and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Dakota in August 2020. Martinez joined the North Dakota Highway Patrol in July 2011. He attended the Highway Patrol Academy, graduating December 22, 2011. Martinez was initially stationed in Grafton as a traffic enforcement trooper until he transferred to Grand Forks in April 2014, where he served as a motor carrier enforcement trooper. In December 2015, he was assigned as a traffic enforcement trooper in Grand Forks. Martinez briefly left the agency, returning as a motor carrier enforcement trooper stationed in Grand Forks in November 2017. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant on August 17, 2020, and was stationed in Williston. On September 1, 2021, he accepted a transfer to Bismarck to serve as a training sergeant at the Law Enforcement Training Academy. On January 19, 2023, he was promoted to Lieutenant and served as the Northwest Region Commander in Minot. On May 11, 2023, he accepted a transfer to the LETA and served as the Training Director, where he served until June 30, 2025. On July 1, Martinez was promoted to Captain and began his duties as Administrative Services Division Commander.
Sgt. Evan Savageau was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and now serves as the Training Director at the Law Enforcement Training Academy. Savageau earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Jamestown College. Savageau became a member of the North Dakota Highway Patrol July 5, 2011, and graduated December 22, 2011. He was initially stationed in Williston as a traffic enforcement trooper where he served until May 31, 2014. He transferred to Carrington where he served until September 30, 2019. He was promoted to Sergeant in October 2019 and was a regional sergeant in Jamestown until January 31, 2024, when he transferred to Headquarters in Bismarck to serve as the agency’s Planning Officer. Savageau was promoted to Lieutenant and began serving as the Training Director at the LETA effective July 15, 2025.
Trooper Michael Wald was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and will serve as the NDHP Planning Officer, stationed at Headquarters. Wald earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Minot State University. He attended the training academy from March 12, 2012, graduating July 27, 2012. He was initially stationed in Williston as a motor carrier enforcement trooper, where he served until July 31, 2014. He then transferred to New Salem until August 31, 2018; then to Bismarck until October 8, 2023. In October 2023, he transferred to Headquarters and served as the Cultural Liaison/Recruitment Officer until his promotion. Wald began serving as the NDHP Planning Officer effective August 1, 2025.
