Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman today appointed Steve Holton to the position of Ravalli County Undersheriff.
Holton is a 17-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, having begun his career there as a Reserve Deputy in 1996. He was hired as a full-time deputy in 1999, and graduated from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in 2000.
Holton has served as a Patrol Deputy, Corporal/Field Training Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Hostage & Crisis Negotiator during his tenure at the Sheriff’s Office. He is a Deputy Coroner and sits on the board of directors of the Montana Coroner’s Association. Holton also coordinated the Reserve and Cadet programs, and currently serves as the office’s Search and Rescue Coordinator.
Holton is married and the father of four children. He and his wife, Michelle, have owned the Back Door Deli in Hamilton since 1999. A graduate of Hamilton High School, Holton has lived in the Bitterroot Valley since 1990 when his family moved here from Beaverhead County.
In making this appointment, Hoffman said that Holton is eminently qualified for the position and that, throughout his career, “Steve has shown a high level of dedication to the community and to the Sheriff’s Office. His work ethic and record are impeccable, and he and his family are very committed to this community. His intelligence and understanding of our mission will serve us well for a long time to come.”
Holton takes the post vacated by Perry Johnson, who retired last week to accept the position of Public Safety Officer Standards and Training Director in Helena.