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Sheriff /Coroner Vern L.
Burdick started his law enforcement career in
1995 in Fort Benton, Montana. Vern’s years as a Deputy Sheriff
with the Chouteau County Sheriff’s Office prepared him for his
tenure as Sheriff of Chouteau County. He has worked as a Civil
Deputy, Evidence Technician and finally Jail Administrator
before being Sheriff Doug William’s successor in his last year
of office. After an overwhelming successful election bid in
2006, Vern retains his office serving the public he is committed
to. He loves the job and especially loves serving the citizens
of Chouteau County.
Undersheriff Curt Owen
has been in Law Enforcement for eighteen years. He spent sixteen of
those years as a resident Deputy in Big Sandy. He is currently a
D.A.R.E instructor, SWAT instructor and Tactical Firearms
instructor.
In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family in the outdoors, camping, hunting and fishing.
Deputy / Coroner Keith Dallum
is a life long resident of the Chouteau County. Starting in
Communications in 1982 he has worked in all parts of the Sheriff’s
Office, being a resident deputy in Big Sandy and then moving back to
Fort Benton. He is the coordinator of the Chouteau County Search and
Rescue and the Sheriff’s Reserve Deputies. He has been an Emergency
Medical Technician for over 20 years and has been a member of the
Fort Benton ambulance service since 1978. He is graduate of the
National Search and Rescue School conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard
and Air Force. He is currently the Administrator of the Detention
Center and the Civil Department.
Deputy/Coroner Larry Ophus
has been with the Chouteau County Sheriff’s Office since 1981. He
started as a Reserve Deputy, and continued his public service by
becoming a full time Deputy. In 1999 he became a Deputy Coroner.
In Addition to his public service in Law Enforcement, Deputy Ophus has been a member of the Big Sandy Vol. Fire Department since 1975. In 1985 he obtained his certification as an Emergency Medical Technician, and in 1993 he accepted the position of Fire Chief. Deputy/Coroner Kyle Meier Started in office in 2005. Background in Emergency Medicine for 19 years. College Certifications in Law Enforcement, Emergency Medicine, and Administration of Justice Programs. Graduate of Southwestern Police Academy, California P.O.S.T. in 1999. Graduate of Montana Law Enforcement Academy in 2006, Class 128. Member of A.C.J.A, American Criminal Justice Association. N.R.E.M.T, National Registered Emergency Medical Technician. M.S.P.O.A., Montana Sheriff and Peace Officer Association. Advanced Training in Community Policing, Crime Scene Investigations, Evidence Collection, I.D. Theft/Fraud, and Tactical Response Procedures. Currently the Civil Department and Detention Center Administrator. He works on the voluntary ambulance service and is a member of the Chouteau County Search and Rescue Team. He was awarded the M.S.P.O.A. Officer of the Year Award for 2008.
Deputy Justin Smith
started his Law Enforcement Career in 1999 when he enlisted in the
US Air Force as a Security Policeman. During his six years in the
military he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. While in the USAF he
served in various theaters including England, Germany, Italy, and
Bosnia-Herzegovina for a variety of security and peacekeeping
missions. His most recent assignment brought him to Malmstrom Air
Force Base where he conducted Launch Facility Security, Convoy
Security, Helicopter Operations, and worked as a Missile Alert
Facility Crew Chief. Upon his honorable discharge from the USAF he
decided to call Montana home and pursued a job in civilian law
enforcement.
Deputy Smith joined the Chouteau County Sheriff’s Office in 2006 and has taken on the additional tasks as a member of Search and Rescue and the Sheriff’s Tactical Response Team. His education includes a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice from Colorado Technical University. He also holds certificates from CTU for Corrections Technician, Law Enforcement Skills, Crime Scene Investigations, Legal Studies and Court Process. Graduating in 2006 he also has a Diploma from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy.
Deputy/Coroner Fernando Venegas
began working full time in law
enforcement in 2004, and in March of 2006 joined the Chouteau County
Sheriff's Office as a Deputy Sheriff. He is a graduate of the
Montana Law Enforcement Academy class #126. Deputy Venegas has
training and experience in underground critical rescue, is a
certified ice rescue specialist, and has graduated from the National
Inland Search and Rescue Planning School conducted by the U.S. Coast
Guard and U.S. Air Force. Additional training also includes
interview and interrogation techniques, sexual assault
investigations, domestic drug interdiction, and IED explosive
recognition. Deputy Venegas is an active member of the Sheriff's
Tactical Response Team and graduated from the Montana Law
Enforcement Academy SWAT School in the summer of 2007. Also in
2007, he became a Deputy Coroner and completed Coroner School.
Deputy Venegas is involved with the "Shop with the Sheriff" program
and teaches Bicycle Safety and Drug Awareness in schools around the
county. He also enjoys contributing to the community by being a
active member of the Chouteau County Search and Rescue Team and a
volunteer Firefighter for the City of Fort Benton.
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COPYRIGHT© 2007 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED CHOUTEAU COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, PRIVACY POLICY |
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