TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The head of the Kansas Highway Patrol says he plans to retire, effective Jan. 5.

The state announced the retirement plans of Col. Ernest Garcia in a news release issued Monday.

Garcia was appointed to the job in 2011. Before that, he was a 40-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He also was the Sergeant at Arms for the U.S. Senate.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports retirement comes months after a patrol survey indicated low morale among troopers and broad dissatisfaction with the agency’s leaders.