RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia State Police's superintendent will retire in February of next year after 40 years in law enforcement. On Wednesday, Oct. 23, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced that Colonel Gary T. Settle will retire from his position as Virginia State Police (VSP) superintendent effective Feb. 1, 2025 after nearly four decades of service to the Commonwealth. According to VSP, Settle was initially appointed as Superintendent by then-governor Ralph Northam in 2018 after serving as the director of the department's Bureau of Criminal Investigation since 2017 and its deputy director from 2015 to 2017. According to the governor's office, Settle was re-appointed as superintendent by Youngkin in Jan. 2022. State police said Settle, who is a Rappahannock County native, graduated from the VSP Academy in 1986 as class president of the 78th Basic Session. In addition to his progression through the supervisory ranks of VSP, Settle also served as Rappahannock's sheriff from 1996 to 2000. Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of Virginia State Police (Photo courtesy: Virginia State Police) According to the governor's office, a nationwide search will be initiated to find a replacement for Settle, with Lt. Col. Matt Hanley serving as the acting superintendent in the interim. Settle issued the following statement after the announcement of his retirement: “I have been blessed to lead this Department for seven years, and to have served in it for four decades. I am proud of the work our troopers, agents and civilian staff put in over that time, dealing with protests, solving cold cases, rescuing people and making sure the roads are safe. We continue to make strides to ensure that we are the top law enforcement agency in the Commonwealth and I leave Virginia State Police in Lt. Col. Matt Hanley’s more than capable hands. I will miss being part of this wonderful group of talented and dedicated men and women.” Colonel Gary T. Settle