New Resident Deputy Starts in Seeley Lake

SEELEY LAKE – Seeley Lake's newest deputy Ryan Dunster took to the streets of Seeley Lake for the first time Sunday, Aug. 26. Dunster is looking forward to becoming a part of the community with his wife and three children as well as enjoying all of the recreation opportunities the area offers.

While Dunster was a counselor with the Yellowstone County Youth Detention Center in 2005, he visited with an officer about a career in law enforcement.

"He thought that I would be a good fit so I applied," said Dunster who had become bored from the mundane schedule at the Detention Center.

Starting in the fall of 2006, Dunster worked as an officer with the City Police Department in Colstrip. During his six years as a police officer, he worked with the volunteer fire department and he and his wife were foster parents.

Dunster moved his family to Missoula in 2012 and started as a deputy with the Missoula County Sheriff's Office.

"I liked the changing roles and I learn new things every day," said Dunster. "I enjoy helping people and it gives me an opportunity to talk to people."

Dunster is looking forward to getting back to the slower pace of small town life.

"Down there [in Missoula] it is just from call, to call, to call," said Dunster. "When I've come up here in the past, you can take the time and sit down and talk to someone and get to know them. I've missed that part of it."

Dunster said that after 12 years in law enforcement he does not have anything to prove.

"I'm 43-years-old and I've seen just about everything there is to see," said Dunster. "I'm laid back and I understand that [deputies] are no different than anyone else in the community. We are all human."

Dunster knows from experience that one of the hard parts of living in a small community that sometimes enforcing the law means arresting someone he knows who broke the law.

"I won't look the other way but I'm not here to ruin anyone's life," said Dunster.

Dunster looks forward to working with Sergeant Bob Parcell and Deputy Heath Hanson as a coordinator for the Seeley-Swan Search and Rescue. He also hopes to join the Seeley Lake Volunteer Fire Department providing it does not interfere with his other duties.

When he's not in uniform, Dunster and his family enjoy spending time camping, fishing, hiking, hunting and anything in the outdoors. While they know winter will be a challenge because there is not as much activity in Seeley Lake as in Missoula, they look forward to embracing more snow and getting out snowmobiling, skiing and ice fishing as much as possible.

Pending the sale of his home in Missoula, Dunster looks forward to moving his family to Seeley Lake and getting involved in sports with his children at the elementary school.

Dunster said, "My wife and I just want to be part of the community and members of Seeley Lake."