Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Patrol, announced the promotion of Lieutenant John Hotz to the rank of captain effective March 1, 2015.
Hotz was appointed to the Patrol on July 1, 1989. After graduating from the Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, Zone 7, Bates County. In 1994, Hotz was promoted to corporal and designated assistant zone supervisor of Zone 5, Ray and Carroll counties.
Hotz was promoted to sergeant in 1998, and transferred to Troop A Headquarters as a public information and education officer. On August 1, 2006, he was promoted to lieutenant and designated assistant director of the Public Information and Education Division.
Hotz was born in Camden, New Jersey. He graduated from Lowndes County High School, Valdosta, GA, in 1985. In 1989, he graduated with a bachelor’s of science degree in criminal justice from the University of Southern Mississippi, in Hattiesburg, MS. Capt. Hotz and his wife, Paula, have two children: James and Emily.