Interim Sheriff Appointed After Gootkin Retirement
The Gallatin County Commissioners have appointed Dan Springer to serve as interim sheriff. Former Sheriff Brian Gootkin retired the last week of December after 27 years with the department to join new Governor Greg Gianforte's administration. The governor nominated Gootkin to run the Montana Department of Corrections.
Dan Springer was named interim sheriff on Monday. He will serve while commissioners to work to appoint a permanent replacement for Gootkin.
Springer has been with the Sheriff's Department since 1996 and has served as Gallatin County Undersheriff since 2012. During his time with the department, Springer has served as a patrol deputy, K9 officer, school resource officer, sergeant of the patrol and detective divisions, member and commander of the Special Response Team, commander of the Detention Center and the Missouri River Drug Task Force, and chief deputy coroner.