As Governor Mike Parson's term comes to an end, Sandra "Sandy" Karsten will retire as Director of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) on January 13, 2025, after three decades of public service. Governor Parson praised her contributions, stating, "Director Karsten has dedicated her entire public service career to law enforcement, public safety, and good governance. Our communities across the state are better off today having benefitted from her service," in a statement on the Office of the Governor's release.

Sandy Karsten reflected on her career with gratitude, saying, "It has been my great honor to serve the people of Missouri and to work to make this a safer state for more than 39 years" in the same release. She made history during her time with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, becoming the first woman to achieve the ranks of lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel. Later, she became the first female leader of the Department of Public Safety.

During her tenure, Karsten launched several initiatives, including the Missouri Blue Scholarship with Governor Parson to fund law enforcement recruits, reorganized the Missouri Law Enforcement Data Exchange (MoDEx), and streamlined grant processes to ease local burdens. She also expanded and restructured the Missouri Disaster Medical Assistance Team (MO DMAT-1) during the COVID-19 pandemic, enhancing its capabilities as a deployable medical unit.

One of Karsten's key collaborations was with Lincoln University, resulting in the creation of the Lincoln University Law Enforcement Training Academy. This became the first licensed law enforcement training academy at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the U.S.