Toole County’s first female sheriff, Donna Matoon, began her career in law enforcement when she was hired by Sheriff John Brooks as a dispatcher in 1981 at the age of 19. Matoon quickly moved up to dispatch supervisor by 1983. Matoon left the sheriff’s department for a short time in 1985 to start her family. Donna returned to the Toole County Sheriff’s Department in January of 1986 after the birth of her daughter Samantha to fill the role of Sheriff’s secretary and civil clerk.
In June of 1986 Donna took the biggest step of her career and successfully tested for and was hired as a Deputy Sheriff. In 1990 Matoon celebrated the birth of her second child Kara. Donna continued working as a Patrol Deputy until she was appointed Chief Deputy by Sheriff Vern Anderson in 1991. She served in this capacity until July of 2002 when Sheriff Anderson appointed her as his Undersheriff. On January 1, 2003 Donna Matoon was elected as the first female sheriff in the history of Toole County. Matoon is currently serving in her second four year term as sheriff. She holds BASIC, INTERMEDIATE, & ADVANCED law enforcement certificates from the Montana law Enforcement Academy, as well as SUPERVISORY & COMMAND certificates. Matoon is a graduate of the FBI Executive Command College.
A past member of the Shelby “Jaycees” and current member of the Shelby ELKS Club and Booster Club, Matoon currently sits as a board member for the Private Prison Advisory Committee, Center for Mental Health Board, Toole County Safety Committee, Insurance Committee, Compensation Board and Northern Tier Interoperability Consortium.
In her free time, Matoon enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys following and supporting the local high school sports teams, camping, fishing, yard work and other outdoor activities.
