Q&A with Mineral County sheriff candidate Ryan Funke

Editor's Note: Mineral County voters will choose a new sheriff in the Nov. 8 general election. Ryan Funke won the Republican primary. Gretchen Webb later entered the race as an independent and her name will be on the ballot.

My name is Ryan Funke and I’m 43 years old. I am 3rd generation born and raised Montanan. My family has been in Montana for over 100 years.

I am married to the love of my life Danica and we have an amazing son, Cash. We moved to Mineral County in 2018, when I took the job of deputy sheriff in Mineral County. Our family built our forever-home in St. Regis.

Since moving to Mineral County, we have been active in our community. We started and led a Christmas present drive for families in need in St. Regis; I assist in coaching the girls’ basketball team in St. Regis; I help teach junior golf camps and high school golf; and we donate time and money for nonprofit benefits. I believe that it is very important to be active in the community I live in and serve.

I have approximately 14 years of Montana law enforcement experience. I have an extensive knowledge of Montana law. I am currently the Sergeant of Patrol, Head Field Training Officer, Senior Search and Rescue Liaison, Deputy Coroner and I perform Deputy duties as well. Throughout my career I have built solid relationships with other agencies and I intend to bring these relationships with me as resources for additional help when Mineral County needs it.

I want to be sheriff so I can lead the Sheriff’s Office in a positive direction. I have watched the Sheriff’s Office struggle in the past and I believe I have the knowledge of Montana and Mineral County to make a positive change. I also have the drive and passion to rebuild relationships with the community and citizens that have been torn apart in recent years.

The last three sheriffs of Mineral County stayed about two years each. Why do you think that is, and what are you going to do differently?

The relationship between a sheriff and the commissioners is symbiotic, which can sometimes create the opportunity for conflict. One past sheriff described his relationship with the commissioners as disenchanted. I think each office must set aside personal biases and vow to work together for the better good of the county. I plan to come to the commissioners with a game plan, to work together as a unified group to come up with solutions that matter to Mineral County. I hope to be sheriff of Mineral County for at least two terms (eight years). I will not treat the position of sheriff as a retirement job, i.e. “one foot out the door.” I have a lot of hard work ahead of me to make this office succeed. I am committed to this county and to the citizens to improve all aspects of the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office.

How many more deputies do you feel the MCSO needs, and how are you going to make this happen? What is your timeline to have them on staff?

There are currently six deputies at the MCSO, including my position as sergeant. When I was hired in 2018 there were only four deputies. With crime in Mineral County increasing, the addition of two deputies has been very helpful. I believe we have adequate coverage now. With a working sheriff and undersheriff we will have eight people with “boots on the ground” which will allow additional coverage for any gaps and also for deputies to take time off. If the need for another deputy arises, I believe there are opportunities inside the Sheriff’s Office create another position at little or no cost to the taxpayers. In Mineral County most of the residents are on a fixed income so trying to pass a Public Safety Mill Levy isn’t my first answer. I believe once we reach the point of needing even more positions, I will create a very detailed and descriptive levy.

West end residents say crime in their area is on the rise. What is your plan for this area?

Unfortunately, crime is up all over the US. I believe with more patrols and added security, property crimes will slow. I believe we can have a deputy on east, central and west ends during each shift. Providing extra patrols to the areas of the crime is imperative to stop the crime. Currently due to fuel costs, we have been advised by administration to watch our miles and not patrol these outlying areas. I don’t agree with this policy, however I don’t currently have a say in the matter. As far as the drugs, we have MOUs with several drug agencies. Once a complaint is received by MCSO, we can reach out to these agencies, at no cost to the taxpayers or to Mineral County Sheriff’s Office. I’ve developed a close relationship with Missoula Drug Taskforce, DCI and DEA and they have agreed to assign a narcotics agent to work Mineral County cases. The agent is a current resident of Mineral County will spend at least one day a week working with deputies.

A School Resource Officer has been on the table for years to cover all schools in the county. If this is a priority for you, how are you going to complete this challenge and when will you have this person working?

Mineral County needs a School Resource Officer to protect our children, teachers and schools. I believe there are allocated monies in the budget that can be redirected to create this position. This year more funding resources became available with the additional tax base. There is also a grant (School Violence Prevention Program) available for K-12 schools for funding an SRO. This is a 3-year award at a maximum of $500,000. My hope is to have SRO on staff within 6 months to one year after taking office. The SRO would have to complete a 40-hour class prior to being put into the schools.

What is your first priority as the sheriff of Mineral County?

I want to sit down with all the Sheriff’s Office employees to ask them about their concerns/complaints/ideas for making the Sheriff’s Office a better place. Then I intend to come up with a game plan to fix the issues that have been brought to my attention. Employees need to know that you trust them and given time, consideration, and respect they will trust you. Equally important is gaining public trust back. As sheriff I will have a true open-door policy for employees and citizens. Citizens of Mineral County know what they expect from the Sheriff’s Office and I invite them to share any and all expectations.