About Me
Matthew D. Roberts
Matt Roberts is a native of Howell County, where he currently resides. He commenced his law enforcement career as a jailer with the Howell County Sheriff’s Office. Upon graduating from the Missouri Sheriff’s Association Training Academy, Matt assumed the role of a Reserve Officer with The West Plains Police Department. His grandfather, Dale Roberts, served as an Officer with The West Plains Police Department during the 1980s and early 1990s until his passing. In 2002, Matt founded Even Cut Lawn Care, LLC, and diligently expanded the business throughout his high school years and while attending the Missouri Sheriff’s Academy. Even Cut Lawn Care LLC continues to provide comprehensive services, including lawn care, landscaping, skid-steer service, snow removal, and more to West Plains and the surrounding areas. Transitioning to a part-time role with G.R. Martin and Associates in 2006, Matt contributed significantly to various operations under CEO Greg Martin's guidance. His roles included assisting in Insurance Fraud Investigations, Personal Security Details for numerous celebrity clients, civil process serving, and other company services. In 2009, Matt was chosen as a Team Member for the West Plains/Howell County S.W.A.T. Team, where he served as an Entry Officer, Door Breacher, and Designated Marksman. The year 2014 marked a shift in Matt's career as he resigned from the West Plains
Police Department to accept a part-time Deputy position with the Howell County Sheriff's Office. Additionally, in the same year, he joined Shield Solutions, a firearms training and security company. Shield Solutions specializes in providing safe, state-approved training programs for businesses and schools, notably being the pioneer in arming staff members with concealed firearms in Missouri Public Schools. Transitioning to a full-time Patrol Deputy role in 2016 with the Howell County Sheriff's Office, Matt continued his dedication to law enforcement. He also co-founded the non-profit organization My Brother’s 6 with Greg Martin in 2016, aimed at raising funds to provide essential training, ammunition, protective equipment, and trauma medical supplies for law enforcement officers in underfunded Missouri police departments. Matt holds the distinction of being a Missouri POST approved law enforcement instructor across several disciplines, including firearms, active shooter response, tactical breaching, and live fire shoot-house operations. Recognized for his exceptional leadership qualities, Matt was appointed Assistant Team Leader of the West Plains/Howell County S.W.A.T. Team in 2018. His responsibilities increased in 2022 when he was promoted to Corporal in the Patrol Division, overseeing a team of 9 Patrol and Special Missions Division Deputies. Elevating further in 2023, Matt attained the rank of Lieutenant and temporarily served in the Jail Division before being slated for transfer to the Patrol Division as the Division Lead in 2024. In the same year, Matt made the decision to resign from his position as a Lieutenant with the Howell County Sheriff's Office. Alongside his wife, Ashley, Matt resides in southern Howell County, where they are actively raising their two children, Charlie and Ellie. In his leisure time, Matt, together with his brothers, manages a small beef cattle farm. Matt and his family attend First Baptist Church in West Plains where he serves on the Men's Ministry committee and the Emergency Response Team.
Timeline
Training, Experience, & Leadership
This timeline is only a quick highlight. Click here to view my entire timeline of my training, experience, and leadership!
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2006
Hired at Howell County Jail
In 2006, I was hired by Sheriff Robbie Crites as a Jailer within the Jail Division. As a Jailer I was tasked with bookings, meal and medication distribution, security, and overall health and wellness of 50+ inmates.
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2007
MSA Academy Graduation
In 2007, I graduated the Missouri Sheriff's Association 640-hour basic law enforcement academy and earned my Class A license. This academy was a dual enrollment with Missouri State University - West Plains for credit towards a Criminal Justice degree.
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2007
Commissioned as a Police Officer
In 2007, I was commissioned by the West Plains Police Department as a police officer and assigned to patrol. As a Patrol Officer, I was tasked with enforcing West Plains City Ordinances and Missouri State Statutes. During my employment, I investigated numerous criminal acts including vehicle thefts, murders, assaults, child abuse, and other misdemeanor and felony crimes.
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2009
Assigned to SWAT
In 2009, I was assigned to the Howell County SWAT Team of which I maintained an active status throughout my employment at the West Plains Police Department. During this time I was assigned as the team's primary breacher and secondary marksman.
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2015
Hired as Deputy at HCSO
In 2015, I was commissioned by Sheriff Mike Shannon as a Deputy of the Howell County Sheriff's Office. I was assigned as a Patrol Deputy tasked with enforcing Missouri State Statutes. I investigated numerous criminal acts including vehicle thefts, murders, assaults, burglaries, thefts, child abuse, and other misdemeanor and felony crimes.
I continued my prior assignment to SWAT from 2009 and maintained an active status for the duration of my employment at the Howell County Sheriff's Office. in 2017 I was assigned to the SWAT Training Cadre tasked with planning and coordination of all SWAT team trainings. I was later promoted to the Assistant SWAT Team Leader in 2018.
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2022
Promoted to SWAT Team Leader
In 2022, I was promoted to SWAT Team Leader and tasked with the oversight of all operations and planning for the Howell County SWAT Team. This included rural operations, active shooter, event security, close protection detail, high risk apprehension, barricaded subject response, hostage rescue, and other tasks as assigned by the Sheriff.
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2022
Promoted to Corporal in the Patrol Division
In 2022, I was promoted to the rank of Corporal within the Patrol Division. With this promotion, I was tasked with the oversight and supervision of 9 Deputies assigned to the Patrol Division and the Special Missions Division.
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2023
Promoted to Lieutenant in the Jail Division
In 2023, I was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant within the Jail Division. With this promotion, I was tasked with the oversight of the Howell County Adult Detention Center with 15 Jailers and up to 70 inmates.
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2024
Matt Roberts For Howell County Sheriff
In February 2024, I resigned from my position as a Lieutenant at the Howell County Sheriff's Office to run for Sheriff of Howell County.
Support Matt
Donate Today!
I cannot do this without your help! If you share my values and see my vision for a better Howell County Sheriff's Office, please support me on this journey.
Donate by Mail!
Make checks payable to "Committee to Elect Matt Roberts" and mail to:
Committee to Elect Matt Roberts
PO Box 213
West Plains, MO 65775.