Matthew Spence

Spence issued a statement defending brief deputy visits to polling places during regular patrols. He said the visits supported election workers and public safety, did not involve monitoring or influencing voters, and prohibited political activity on duty. He said he did not personally visit polling places in that election. Civil liberties groups later raised voter intimidation concerns; no official finding of intimidation is established by these sources.

August 11, 2026

Source: wisconsinexaminer.com

Special Olympics Wisconsin announced Spence as an incoming member of its board of directors. The organization supports athletic participation and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities. Its current board roster and the county sheriff’s biography confirm his service.

January 6, 2026

Source: specialolympicswisconsin.org

Spence announced an external investigation after Pao Lee died at the Sheboygan County detention center on September 14, 2025. His release said the medical examiner and Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office had been contacted to investigate. It reported unsuccessful lifesaving efforts and did not announce a finding of misconduct.

September 15, 2025

Source: washingtoncountyinsider.com

Spence’s appointment of Corey Norlander as inspector, replacing Chad Broeren upon his retirement, received Law Committee confirmation. Spence attended the meeting as sheriff. This was a senior command appointment, not a committee vote cast by Spence.

August 5, 2025

Source: sheboyganmeeting.com

Spence publicly defended the sheriff’s department’s existing cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. He said trained jail employees served immigration administrative warrants and transferred people to federal agents after their county detention ended. He also said his department did not seek people in the community for such warrants. His predecessor signed the agreement in 2020.

February 10, 2025

Source: whbl.com

Spence reported that he had appointed Corey Norlander interim captain of patrol and criminal investigations. The county’s revised procedures placed inspector and captain appointments with the sheriff, subject to Law Committee confirmation. The minutes record Spence’s appointment report on this date.

November 5, 2024

Source: sheboyganmeeting.com

Spence joined Sheboygan County’s Affirmative Action Commission as the county employee representative from the sheriff’s department after the county board confirmed his appointment. The initial appointment filled a term ending in April 2025.

July 16, 2024

Source: sheboyganmeeting.com

As captain, Spence joined Senator Tammy Baldwin and county justice and health officials at the detention center for an opioid response roundtable. They discussed settlement funding and the proposed Safe Response Act, including training first responders to reverse overdoses and referring people to treatment. He did not sponsor the federal bill.

January 20, 2024

Source: whbl.com

As a Sheboygan County sheriff’s lieutenant, Spence took part in a public fundraiser for Special Olympics Wisconsin. He joined officers who volunteered to receive a cream pie in the face in exchange for donations supporting sports for people with intellectual disabilities.

August 16, 2019

Source: sheboyganbeacon.com

As a Sheboygan County sheriff’s sergeant, Spence completed Fox Valley Technical College’s Criminal Justice Executive Development Institute. The program covered police leadership, community policing, cultural diversity, personnel development and legal issues. The college reported the graduation on this date after classes ended in January.

February 12, 2014

Source: fvtc.edu