Mike Sunderland

Mike Sunderland Jr. is a second-generation Law Enforcement officer. His father, retired as a Patrol Lieutenant after serving a 30-year career with the Missoula Police Department.

In 1996, Mike started his career as a Reserve Deputy with the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office working through 2001. In 2001 Mike transferred to the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office and continued his employment as a Reserve Deputy for many years.

In 2015 Mike applied for a full-time position with the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office and was hired as a Resident Deputy in Seeley Lake, Montana. As a Resident Deputy, and in addition to basic patrol duties, Mike was a Deputy Coroner and SAR coordinator.

In late 2017, Mike was promoted to a Detective where he still works today. Since being promoted, Detective Sunderland has worked general cases, assigned to HIDTA as a drug investigator and has led several homicide and violent crime investigations.

In 2018, Mike also became a board member of the Missoula County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. Mike has held the positions of Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and was elected President in 2021 where he still holds that position today. The primary function of the MCDSA board is the negotiation/monitoring of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Deputies and Missoula County.

In November 2022, Mike Sunderland left Missoula County Sheriff’s Office and accepted the position of Detective Lieutenant with the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Steve Holton. Lieutenant Sunderland supervises a team of 10 including investigators, support staff and 2 SRO’s.