The Mineral County Sheriff’s Office has two candidates running for the position. Incumbent, Ryan Funke who was elected to the position three years ago, and Ben Banks, who is a former deputy of the Sheriff's Office. 

Both are Republicans and there is no Democratic candidate, so the primary election on June 2 will determine who will be the sheriff as of Jan. 1, 2027. 

Both candidates answered the same questions.

Sheriff Ryan Funk

I started my law enforcement career in 2008 where I was hired as a full-time deputy with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. I immediately found that this profession was very rewarding and fulfilling. Throughout my career there have been many highs and lows, as with any profession. The past three years serving as your sheriff have been the most rewarding. Mineral County has been home for my family since 2018.

What leadership decisions from your law-enforcement career best demonstrate your readiness to lead an entire sheriff’s office?

Besides the day-to-day leadership decisions, there are two critical incidents -- an officer-involved shooting in St. Regis and an officer-involved shooting in Fish Creek -- that demonstrate my readiness to lead this office. During these incidents, I had to make quick decisions to protect the public and the officers involved. I immediately contacted surrounding agencies for mutual aid to assist with the apprehension and investigation, as well as the Department of Criminal Investigations to assist in the investigation into both incidents for transparency. Lastly, critical incident debriefs were set up for the officers and public to process the traumatic events.

Would you prioritize hiring more deputies, investing in technology, or expanding training, and why?

Public safety has and will remain a top priority in Mineral County. Staffing is a key point for the success of this office and the safety of this community. Prioritizing staffing will ensure consistent and reliable coverage for the citizens of this county. Adequate deputy staffing enables quicker response times, improved officer and school safety, enhanced investigations, and a stronger presence in our communities. Increases staffing will also allow us to expand training. Investing in deputies is an investment in the safety and stability of every resident in Mineral County.

What would you do if the county commissioners demanded a policy you believed would harm public safety or violate civil rights?

If the county commissioners demanded a policy that would harm public safety or violate civil rights, I would refuse to implement the policy due to those reasons. I took an oath, and that was an oath to the Constitution and to the people I serve. I would express my concerns about the policy and why it would harm public safety and my office. Throughout my career in law enforcement, I have proven that I will stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult. Protecting constitutional rights and keeping our community safe will always come first.

What is your strategy for addressing the most significant crime issues facing the county?

The most significant crime issues facing this county are domestic violence, property crimes and drug abuse. In many cases, these crimes go hand in hand. In 2025, I decided to institute a proactivity-based schedule, which has been successful. A balanced approach of enforcement and prevention has also assisted our agency. We have developed strong partnerships with our local victim advocacy programs, which has helped in holding the offenders accountable and in protecting the victims in these crimes. We will also continue to work closely with our local, state and federal partners to target and prosecute drug crimes in our area.

How will you ensure taxpayer money is used effectively and responsibly?

Knowledge and experience matter when ensuring taxpayers' money is used effectively and responsibly. Due to voted-on mills, the county doesn’t have enough money to fund the public safety portion of their budget. Instead of costing the taxpayers more money by trying to pass a public safety mill levy, the commissioners offset that cost by using PILT money. Our county has been receiving PILT since 1977. We will continue to use PILT money instead of passing the extra cost onto the tax payers. We will also look at alternative ideas with our local representatives.

What limits should exist on the power of the sheriff, and who should hold you accountable?

Historically the power and authority of the sheriff in Montana is set by the Constitution, state law and polices that protect the rights of the citizens. They are unique in the law enforcement world as they are an elected official rather than being appointed by a mayor or city council. This is what makes the sheriff accountable to the people, rather than a local government that chooses the holder of that position. The sheriff is also accountable to the commissioners through the budgeting process. I believe that these powers need to remain so that the voters have a voice.

Can you describe a time when you had to stand up to pressure to do something you believed was wrong?

During my career I’ve had many situations where there was pressure to handle a call in a certain way that I didn’t agree with. Working with several jurisdictions in my career, these things happen. I had to explain my concerns and why I didn’t agree with how things were being handled. I know sometimes it’s not easy to stand up to pressure, but maintaining integrity and following the law, no matter who it is, is always the right decision to make. With these tough decisions that I have made, I have always been someone that others have trusted.

What are your top three budget priorities for the Sheriff’s Office?

Personnel and retention have always been my top budget priority in this office. Competitive wages and benefits will help with the recruitment and retention of staff. Especially with the proximity to Missoula County. Equipment and vehicles are also very important. Deputies and Detention Officers need to be equipped with the proper tools to safely perform their duties across the county. Training has been a priority for our office. With a small number of deputies/detention staff it’s hard to have employees away at training. However, we have purchased several online training programs to provide POST training to our staff.