Chief Matt Sheppard grew up in the City of Fountain Valley. After graduating Fountain Valley High School, he was a self-employed contractor for 12 years. In 2000, immediately following graduating the Police Academy, he was hired by the Fountain Valley Police Department. He has worked a variety of assignments, including Patrol, Field Training Officer, Motorcycle Officer and a Crisis Negotiator on West County SWAT.
In 2003, Chief Sheppard was promoted to Senior Officer during his tenure in Traffic. In 2007 he was promoted to Sergeant and worked as a supervisor in Patrol, Personnel/Training and the Detective Bureau. He also oversaw the Department’s Field Training and Chaplain programs.
In 2012, he promoted to Lieutenant and returned to the Patrol Division as the Watch Commander. He later transferred to Support Services and oversaw the Detective Bureau. In 2017, he promoted to Captain where he served as the Patrol Division Commander responsible for front line Police services. Most recently he was the Support Services Commander with oversight responsibilities that included Investigations, Dispatch, Records, Professional Standards and the Department budget.
Chief Sheppard was the recipient of the Medal of Merit in 2003 and the Medal for Lifesaving in 2010.
Chief Sheppard has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He is a Course Coordinator for the Golden West College Regional Criminal Justice Training Center Leadership Development Program. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the California Police Officers’ Association.
He has been married for 28 years and has three children. When not busy spending time with his family, he enjoys paddle boarding.