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 Sheriff/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 a graduate of the National Search and Rescue School conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard and Air Force.

Deputy Sheriff/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 Sheriff/Coroner Kyle Meier started at the Sheriff's 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 Sheriff/Coroner Fernando Venegas began working law enforcement full time in 2004.  In March 2006, he was hired as a Deputy Sheriff for Chouteau County Sheriff's Office.  He is a graduate of Montana Law Enforcement Academy Class # 126.  Deputy Venegas has training and experience in underground critical rescue, is a  Ice Rescue Specialist, and has completed the National Inland Search and Rescue Planning School conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard and Air Force.  Some of his additional training includes crime scene processing, interview and interrogation techniques, and domestic drug interdiction.  He has completed the Basic Crisis Hostage Negotiations class instructed by the FBI.  Deputy Venegas is an active member of the Sheriff's Tactical Response Team and completed SWAT School in 2007.  Also in 2007, he became a Deputy Coroner.  In 2008 he was appointed as an Evidence Room Technician.  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 an active member of the Chouteau County Search and Rescue Team and a volunteer Firefighter for the City of Fort Benton.

Deputy Sheriff/Coroner 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 USAF he served in various theaters including England, Germany, Italy, and Bosnia-Herzegovina for a variety of security and peacekeeping missions.  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, Sheriff's Tactical Response Team, Sexual and Violent Offender Registry Monitor, Crime Stoppers Liaison Officer and CCSO webmaster. His education includes a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice from Colorado Technical University.  Graduating in 2006 he also has a Diploma from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy.  Deputy Smith also continues to serve his state and country as member of the Montana Air National Guard.

Deputy Sheriff Jeff Perry was sworn in March 27, 2009 to begin his career in law enforcement.  He left his job with the Liberty County Sheriff's as a part-time dispatcher to become a Chouteau County Deputy Sheriff.  He already loves the job, and each day is a new adventure.  Deputy Perry's education includes an Associate of Science degree concentrated in Wildlife Biology from Flathead Valley Community College.  He spent three years working with Fish, Wildlife and Parks in both the Biology and Enforcement fields.  After working for Liberty County, he decided Law Enforcement was the route he wanted to pursue.  Deputy Perry will be attending the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in September 2009.  When not on duty Jeff loves to be in the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping and snowmobiling with family and friends.

Deputy Sheriff Matt Guderjahn started his career in 2009 with the Chouteau County Sheriff's Office.  He was inspired to become a deputy by his father Alan who has been a deputy for over 12 years for Phillips County Sheriff's Office.  Matt is enrolled in the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in September 2009.  Matt enjoys hunting, fishing and roping in his off time.