Matt Maples, center, is sworn into his new position as captain and jail division commander for the Sutter County Sheriff's Office. Sutter County Sheriff's Office

LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - Back in September, Brandon Barnes, the 24th sheriff elected to Sutter County, announced that two members of his command staff would retire by the end of the year.

Both happened to be working in Sutter County’s corrections facility, the first being Captain Chad Niswonger, Jail Division Commander for the Sutter County Sheriff's Office, and the other Corrections Lt. Kristie Garza.

“I’m losing my two top people who oversee the jail for me,” said Barnes during a community radio interview.

Barnes went on to say that Lt. Matt Maples had tested very early on for the position and that he would be promoted to captain on Sept. 21. After this announcement, Maples worked with Niswonger and Garza for several months to get his operational knowledge up to speed.

“I'm looking forward to the change,” said Maples. “Sometimes change can feel bad at first but change is good; bringing different people into new roles can be good. I'm going to miss the role that I'm leaving. I greatly care about all the people that I’ve worked with but I'm excited about working with people on the corrections side and I think it's going to be rewarding and a challenge as well.”

Maples has been with the Sutter County Sheriff's Office since 2009. Previously, he worked as the county’s patrol lieutenant in the Operations Division overseeing Main Office Patrol, along with other assignments such as Sheriff’s Posse and Search and Rescue.

While his roots might be planted with his family in Fair Oaks, Maples has worked the majority of his professional career in Sutter County and said he feels like a part of the community.

On Nov. 25, Sheriff Barnes and his staff held a special swearing in ceremony, commemorating Captain Maples’ new position as overseer of the county’s correctional division. When Maples isn’t busy keeping his corner of the world safe, he enjoys cooking and has his own business called Silver Sage Catering, which he often uses to cater various fundraising events.

“He’s very involved with a lot of our nonprofits in the area,” said Barnes. “Even if you don't know Matt, you've probably eaten one of his delicious dinners, I know I've had a few over the course of my career.”

It was this type of servitude and commitment that Barnes said showed through in Maples early testing process for the captain position.

“One of the things I always say is, ‘I know who people are at work but who are you outside of work, what do you give back?’” said Barnes. “I see that in Matt, he gives back to the community. We’re very proud of him and the steps he’s taken to come oversee our jail.”