Experience & Qualifications
Prepared Leadership for the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office
Law Enforcement Career
Matthew Wharton has served in law enforcement since 2005, building a career that spans nearly every level of service within the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office. His background includes detention, patrol, investigations, digital evidence, child exploitation investigations, and courtroom preparation.
Rock Springs Police Department, Detention Officer, 2005 to 2006
Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, Detention Deputy, 2006 to 2007
Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, Patrol Deputy, 2007 to 2016
Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, Detective Division, 2016 to present
Wyoming Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, 2019 to present
Patrol & Specialized Assignments
Matthew served as a patrol deputy in the Operations Division from 2007 to 2016, where he gained firsthand experience responding to calls for service, working with victims, handling investigations in the field, and serving communities throughout Sweetwater County.
​
During his time on patrol, Matthew served as a Field Training Officer, helping train and prepare new deputies for the responsibilities of law enforcement. He was also certified as a Drug Recognition Expert, giving him specialized training in impaired driving enforcement and the identification of drug-impaired drivers.
​
Matthew also served on the Sweetwater County Tactical Response Team, gaining experience in high-risk situations that required discipline, teamwork, preparation, and sound decision-making under pressure.
​
These patrol and specialized assignments helped shape Matthew’s steady, practical approach to leadership and gave him a strong understanding of what deputies face every day in the field.
Detective Division Investigations
Since 2016, Matthew has served in the Detective Division, where he has investigated a wide range of serious criminal cases in Sweetwater County. His investigative experience includes homicides, aggravated assaults, sexual assaults, sexual abuse of minors, sex offender violations, child exploitation, fraud, major theft cases, and other complex investigations requiring thorough follow-up, detailed documentation, evidence review, victim communication, and courtroom preparation.
​
While assigned to the Detective Division, Matthew has also helped train new detectives, sharing his experience in investigations, case preparation, report writing, evidence review, and victim-centered follow-up.
​
Matthew’s time as a detective has given him a deep understanding of how important it is for cases to be handled professionally from beginning to end. An arrest is not the end of a case. Victims deserve strong follow-up, careful evidence work, clear communication, and case preparation that supports successful prosecution.
Digital Forensics & Child Protection
Matthew’s investigative work has included complex criminal investigations, digital evidence, and child exploitation cases. Since 2019, he has been affiliated with the Wyoming Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, where he has investigated cases involving online exploitation, digital evidence, and crimes against children.
​
Through his affiliation with Wyoming ICAC, Matthew has been assigned investigations involving reports made through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. These cases often require careful review of digital evidence, online communications, images, videos, device extractions, account information, and other technology-based evidence.
​
Over time, Matthew became proficient in digital forensics by pursuing specialized training, working complex investigations, examining mobile devices and digital evidence, and staying current with the technology used in modern criminal investigations. His experience in this area has helped him understand the importance of proper evidence handling, detailed documentation, interagency coordination, and thorough case preparation.
Professional Presentations & Internet Safety Training
Through his work with the Wyoming Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Matthew has provided internet safety presentations to children, teenagers, parents, schools, community groups, law enforcement, child welfare professionals, and support personnel throughout Wyoming.
​
Matthew has also presented at Wyoming’s Joint Symposium on Children and Youth, a statewide multidisciplinary training event focused on child protection, crimes against children, victim support, and helping professionals better serve children and families.
​
These presentations reflect Matthew’s commitment not only to investigating crimes after they occur, but also to educating families, communities, and professionals about online safety, digital risks, and protecting children in today’s technology-driven world.
Education & Certifications
Matthew believes law enforcement training must keep pace with the challenges facing modern public safety. His education and certifications reflect his commitment to continued learning, complex investigations, digital evidence, child protection, and professional case preparation.
​
Education
​​
Western Wyoming Community College
Eastern Wyoming Community College
Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Analytics, Penn State World Campus, currently enrolled
Digital Forensics Certifications
​
Magnet Certified Forensic Examiner
Magnet Certified Mobile Examiner
Magnet Certified Cloud Examiner
Magnet Certified macOS Examiner
Magnet Certified GrayKey Examiner
Exterro FTK Certified Examiner
Exterro FTK Imager Certified Examiner
Exterro FTK Registry Viewer Examiner
Oxygen Forensic Certified Examiner
​
Investigative and Specialized Training
​
Certified Child Forensic Interviewer, National Children’s Advocacy Center
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis training, Everett Baxter Jr. Forensics
Drug Recognition Expert, International Association of Chiefs of Police, 2012 to 2023
Numerous digital forensics trainings through Fox Valley Technical College
Additional law enforcement, investigative, and evidence-based training throughout his career