St. Swisher fans about to get their loot on.

(Reuters) – Missouri’s governor declared a state of emergency on Monday ahead of a pending grand jury decision on whether to file criminal charges against a white police officer for the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri.

Jay Nixon said in an executive order that he was taking the action because “there is the possibility of expanded unrest” regardless of the findings of federal and state investigations, which he said could soon be announced.

Update: Anyone recall National Guard troops being deployed to handle Tea Party rallies?

Governor Jay Nixon has signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency and activating the National Guard to support law enforcement during any period of unrest that might occur following the decision of the grand jury in the Michael Brown case.

The Governor’s order calls on the National Guard to support law enforcement in maintaining safety and protecting constitutional rights.

Nixon says the action is part of the effort to be prepared for anything that happens after the grand jury decides whether to charge police officer Darren Wilson with a crime for fatally shooting Michael Brown.

“The National Guard is well-suited to provide security at command posts, fire stations and other locations as well as perform other functions that will free up law enforcement officers to remain focused on community policing and protecting constitutional rights,” Nixon wrote in a statement.