Chief Deputy Johnson is a native of Gila County and a 1987 graduate of Globe High School.  Mike is a 35-year veteran of the Gila County Sheriff's Office, embarking on his career in September 1990 as a Detention Officer.  After graduating from the Eastern Arizona College Reserve Police Academy in 1996, he transferred to the Patrol Bureau as a Deputy Sheriff.  Working with dedication and a commitment to teamwork, Mike earned a promotion to Patrol Sergeant in July 2002 and then to Patrol Lieutenant in December 2006.  Mike was appointed to the position of Undersheriff in October 2013 by Sheriff J. Adam Shepherd and is now serving as the Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy. 

Chief Johnson's responsibilities include ensuring cooperative coordination of all bureau operations and services, compliance with county policies and procedures, and State and Federal Laws.  This position is second in authority of the Sheriff’s Office command structure.

Undersheriff Newman is a native Kentuckian and moved to Arizona in 1974, stationed with the U.S. Air Force at Williams AFB. Dennis started his law enforcement career with the Chandler Police Department in 1982. While there, he served on patrol as a motor officer in the traffic unit, worked undercover narcotics as a detective, and finally joined the K9 team as a dog handler with the tactical squad. Retiring from Chandler PD in 2002, Dennis took a position with the Gila County Sheriff’s Office assigned in Payson. After serving in patrol, Dennis transferred to the Drug Task Force as a K-9 handler, working highway interdiction. Sheriff Shepherd promoted Dennis to Sergeant in patrol in 2013, and to Lieutenant in early 2021. In late 2021, Dennis was promoted to Major, commanding both detention facilities in Globe and Payson.

As Undersheriff, Dennis is responsible for patrol, criminal investigations, the Drug Task Force, the K9 unit, and dispatch. Undersheriff Newman is a graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, Police Staff and Command, class 570. The position of Undersheriff is third in authority in the Sheriff’s Office command structure.

Criminal Investigations

Hailing from Pennsylvania, Jamie started her law enforcement career at Lower Gwynedd PD,

before continuing with the Maui County Sheriff’s Office in Hawaii.  Moving to Arizona in 1994, Jamie worked for the Fountain Hills Marshall’s Office in Maricopa County. 

Hired by the Gila County Sheriff’s Office in 2003 as a Deputy, promoted to Detective, then Sergeant in 2018.  While working with the Task Force, and achieving continuing education and experience, Lt. Garrett has shown leadership and guidance to those under her command.

Criminal Investigations responsibilities include managing and supervising activities of assigned Detectives and K-9 units, directs interagency task force programs, ensuring compliance of activities with State and Federal laws and Sheriff's Office policies and procedures.

Northern District
Lt. Matthew Binney

Lt. Binney, a graduate of Payson High School in 1999, started his law enforcement career with the Gila County Sheriff’s Office in 2015, promoted to Sergeant in 2018, and appointed Undersheriff just before Christmas of 2020. Matthew left the Sheriff’s Office in 2022 to pursue a long-time goal of becoming a Wildlife Manager with the Arizona Game & Fish Department. In March 2025, he returned to the Sheriff’s Office as the Northern District Lieutenant. A decorated US Army Special Forces veteran who achieved an undergraduate degree with honors in Natural Resource Management, and a graduate degree in Nursing following military service, Binney’s leadership skills are a valuable asset to the Sheriff’s command structure: “Eight years of military service -- during which Matt was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart; his pursuit of higher education, and what he has accomplished in law enforcement since 2015, Matt has proven he has the experience, education, and leadership for this vital role in our command staff,” said Sheriff Adam Shepherd.

Patrol Commander Lieutenant Binney’s responsibilities include managing and supervising day to day operations of assigned staff, coordinating training, and addressing internal and external communications issued.

Major Raymond Fulton has had a distinguished career in both the military and law enforcement. He graduated from  University of Idaho, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science.  In his military career, Raymond served as a Sergeant in both Desert Storm and Desert Shield, which marked the beginning of his long service to his country. After moving to Arizona in 1993, he worked for the Arizona Department of Corrections before graduating from the Phoenix Police Academy in 1994. He was assigned to the Maryvale precinct as a patrol officer, with assignments that included roles as a Net Officer, Special Projects (long-term undercover), Property Crimes Detective, HIDA Detective, and Organized Retail Detective. Raymond retired from the Phoenix Police Department in 2015 after a rewarding career.  In 2016, Raymond relocated to Payson, Arizona, and began working for the Gila County Sheriff's Office as a Background Investigator. He was promoted to Gila County Jail Commander in March 2023, further advancing his law enforcement career.

As Jail Commander, Major Fulton's duties include providing leadership and effective communications with staff, oversite of all jail functions, and enforcing accountability among employees and inmates.