After nearly a month in office, Sheriff Ernie Ornelas now has a new undersheriff. Deputy Mike Boone was selected as the new undersheriff by the board that Ornelas convened.

The board that was convened handled the entire process and drew up the questions that were to be asked to the candidates. Daryl Anderson, the retiring sheriff of Lincoln County and Perry Johnson, the former sheriff of Ravalli County and current undersheriff in Ravalli, also sat on the board. Finally, Mineral County attorney Marcia Boris sat on the board. Ornelas said that he chose her to sit on the board because the outgoing county attorney had discussed having a civilian sit on the board.

“I thought that was interesting and I thought about it,” Ornelas said. “The county attorney works closely with the undersheriff and I felt that she was obviously respected in the community after being voted in by such a large margin.”

Ornelas said that he felt the board worked and functioned as he thought it would. He said that the board explained to him why they went with Boone as their choice, which Ornelas declined to release.

“I think that Mike Boone will work fine,” Ornelas said.

Boone is excited to be stepping into his role as the new undersheriff for the county. He had been working with the department for five years up until he stepped in to fill the vacant role of undersheriff.

Prior to working in Mineral County, Boone began his law enforcement career over in Missoula.

He worked about 14 years with Florence Fire where he retired as the assistant chief. He said that a buddy of his worked for Missoula County in the old jail and suggested it to him.

“And so I decided to head that direction,” he said.

Boone started working in the old jail and then continued working in the jail when the new one was built. He said that he worked his way up through the ranks and ended up working as a shift manager there.

“I spent seven years with them,” Boone said. “I also worked with the U.S. Marshalls transporting and doing court duties on contract.”

Boone spent seven years working in Missoula County before coming over to Mineral County.

“It’s the outdoor atmosphere,” Boone said. “You’re away from all the hustle and bustle and you’re dealing with the community, but on the other hand, we have I-90 running as the main corridor coming through here so you deal with all that.”

Boone said that there’s a lot of responsibility that goes with working in law enforcement as you have the ability to control situations and get out of the office. He said that he enjoys being outside the office working, though right now, he has been spending his time catching up and doing things that are needed indoors.

The main duties for the undersheriff include acting as a filter for the sheriff, running the jail and administrative work as well.

“It’s been slightly overwhelming, but I’m just trying to get and find my groove,” Boone said.

Boone said that in a poor county like Mineral, it’s always going to be a struggle to get things done especially with the budget cuts and a six-member team. 

“It’s going to be an uphill battle, but hopefully we can stay on top,” Boone said.