Sheriff's Office Leadership Team
Meet the team that leads the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.
Dave Metusalem, Chief Deputy
Dave returned to the Sheriff’s Office in 2019, after serving as Executive Director of the Minnesota Police & Peace Officer Association (MPPOA) and previously served at the Sheriff’s Office as Chief Deputy, Undersheriff, and Director of Planning & Policy, Sergeant, and Deputy Sheriff. With nearly 29 years of service to Ramsey County, Dave led several new initiatives, including the office’s inaugural labor management committee and the initial push to hire for race and gender equity. Dave also managed several major events and critical incidents, such as presidential visits and high-risk emergency deployments of personnel.
Dave holds a bachelor’s degree from Metropolitan State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Hamline University. As Chief Deputy, Dave serves as second in command and leads day-to-day operations.
Bill Finney, Undersheriff – Detention Services & Community Relations
Bill joined the Sheriff’s Office with over 35 years of experience in public service, starting in 1969 at the Mankato Police Department. At the Saint Paul Police Department, he held the positions of Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Chief of Police. During his 12-year tenure as Chief, Bill led many community-based policing initiatives that improved relationships and increased community trust. He initiated the establishment of a civilian review commission, implemented a ground-breaking agreement with the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to address issues of racial profiling and race relations, and reorganized the department to complement its community policing philosophy.
Bill has also served on the Saint Paul Board of Education and the Saint Paul City Council. He is active in the community and has volunteered with the YMCA Black Achievers Association, the Indianhead Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and the United Way of the Saint Paul Area. He has also served on the Governor’s Commission on Violence and the Minnesota Supreme Court Task Force on Racial Bias.
Bill holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology/psychology from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Bill is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy session 123 and the FBI National Executive Institute (NEI). As Undersheriff, Bill oversees the Adult Detention Center (county jail) as well as leads community relations, recruitment, and serves as the Sheriff’s Office representative to Ramsey County’s many internal communities. Bill also leads the office’s efforts to promote a reflective and more diverse workforce through recruitment, hiring, retention, and promotional processes.
Mike Martin, Undersheriff – Regional Services
Mike joined the Sheriff’s Office after serving as Assistant Director of Emergency Management at the University of Minnesota and at the Minneapolis Police Department as an Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Precinct Commander (Inspector). With over 28 years of service, Mike has led complex investigations and response efforts during high-profile critical incidents, including the I-35W Mississippi River bridge collapse and a major active shooter incident. He is currently working on a project funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention aimed at protecting civil rights and civil liberties during gang-related investigations.
Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in police leadership, education, and administration from the University of Saint Thomas. As Undersheriff, Mike leads emergency management efforts, public safety services that involve multiple agencies, and multi-agency investigations with a regional impact.
Undersheriff – Court & Security Services
This division includes civil process, court security at five district court locations, human services security, transportation, and the Citizen’s Resource Center, which includes criminal history, warrants, and gun permits.
Jeff Ramacher, Undersheriff – Public Safety Services
Jeff has served the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office for 22 years and held the positions of Deputy, Sergeant, Commander, and Inspector. Jeff currently serves as the Undersheriff of the Public Safety Services Division, leading contract patrol services for the cities of Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, Little Canada, North Oaks, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, and White Bear Township. Throughout Jeff’s service to Ramsey County, he has worked in every division including assignments with the Training Unit, Apprehension Team, Special Investigation Unit, and Technology Unit. Jeff has also previously provided leadership as the patrol commander and served on the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team as a Team Leader and Assistant Commander.
As Undersheriff, Jeff leads Patrol, Water Patrol, and Community Support Services. He also works closely with the elected officials and administrators of the communities who contract services with the Sheriff’s Office. Jeff grew up in the area he serves, attending Mounds View public schools and graduating from Irondale High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Saint Cloud State University.
Kyle Mestad, Undersheriff – Administration
Kyle has served Ramsey County since 2009 and held the positions of Planning Specialist, Senior Analyst, Planning Manager, and Director of Planning & Policy. With over 18 years of experience in public service, he has also served as a Police Officer and Victim Advocate. During Kyle’s service to Ramsey County, he led the staffing and operational assessment of the Sheriff’s Office that resulted in increased staffing in the Adult Detention Center and court security, worked closely with county officials to end the charging of booking fees, and supported county-wide collaborations, including the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC).
Kyle holds a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and political science and a master’s degree in public administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He is a candidate for a Ph.D. in management and public service at Hamline University. As Undersheriff, Kyle leads the Administration Division, which includes budget, accounting, and finance; human resources and payroll; contract management and procurement; planning; grant management; information technology; and training and professional development.
Chy Nou Lee, Inspector – Youth Crime Prevention Programs
Chy Nou has served with the Sheriff’s Office for nearly 20 years starting as a Community Service Officer working as a Program Coordinator in the public housing communities of Saint Paul. In the fall of 2010, he was able to achieve his lifelong dream of becoming a peace officer when he became a Deputy with the Sheriff’s Office. As a Deputy, Chy Nou served in the Adult Detention Center, Office of Information and Technology, Court Security, Water Patrol, and the Electronic Crimes Unit. As Inspector, Chy Nou leads youth crime prevention programs.
Chy Nou is the first Hmong American to serve on a senior leadership team of a law enforcement agency in Minnesota.
Dave Titus, Inspector – Legislative Liaison & Wellness
Dave joined the Sheriff’s Office with 25 years of experience in public safety, including 17 years engaging in legislative and labor relations. As a Saint Paul Police Officer, Dave served in the Operations Division (patrol), as a field training officer (FTO), and on the Special Weapons & Tactics (SWAT) Team. Since 2001, Dave has served as President of the Saint Paul Police Federation where he has worked with elected officials to improve working conditions and support the implementation of body cameras. He also serves as Vice President of the Minnesota Police & Peace Officers Association and was twice appointed by the Governor to the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training.
Dave has instructed on labor issues at the national level and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Minnesota. As Inspector, Dave leads legislative initiatives, supports employee wellness, and serves as liaison with local, state, and federal agencies and labor associations.
Mike Whisler, Inspector – Adult Detention Center
Mike joined the Sheriff’s Office with 20 years of experience in public safety, training, and supervision. He served three years as a Ramsey County Deputy in the Adult Detention Center before joining the Saint Paul Police Department. Over the last 17 years, Mike has worked as an Officer and Sergeant. He served as the Training Unit Academy Liaison and conducted training on implicit bias. Mike also served as an Executive Officer (Sergeant) to the Deputy Chief of the Support Services & Administration Division where he assisted in the implementation of the Mental Health Unit. He has also conducted outreach with the homeless and social service providers.
Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Saint Could State University and a master’s degree in police leadership, administration, and education from the University of Saint Thomas. As Inspector, Mike serves in the Adult Detention Center and as a liaison with the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
Steve Linders, Public Information Officer
Coming soon.
Jim Moody, Administrative Assistant
Jim has served Ramsey County for over 30 years and held the positions of Records Clerk, Community Service Officer, Dispatcher, and Account Clerk. Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office, Jim worked in the Traffic Violation Bureau. He is well known for continuing to go above and beyond in assisting community members and employees. As Administrative Assistant, Jim provides administrative support duties for Sheriff Bob Fletcher and the leadership team.