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Townsend Today
By the People, for the People
Broadwater County Appoints Veteran Officer as Interim Sheriff
Mark Wood, a 36-year law enforcement veteran, takes over as interim sheriff after former sheriff Nick Rauser steps down.
Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:35pm
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The appointment of a seasoned law enforcement veteran as interim sheriff aims to provide stability and continuity during a time of transition for the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office.Townsend TodayThe Broadwater County Commission has unanimously appointed Mark Wood as the interim sheriff of Broadwater County, Montana. Wood, who has 36 years of law enforcement experience and has served 10 years with the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office, will fill the remainder of former sheriff Nick Rauser's term, which runs through the end of 2026. Rauser is stepping down from his position but will remain with the department, focusing on the school resource officer program.
Why it matters
The appointment of an experienced interim sheriff ensures continuity of leadership and operations within the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office during the transition. It also allows the county to prepare for the upcoming election in November, where voters will choose a new sheriff to serve a full term starting in 2027.
The details
Mark Wood, who previously served as the undersheriff, was unanimously approved by the Broadwater County Commission to take over as interim sheriff. Wood has 36 years of law enforcement experience, with 10 of those years spent working for the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office. Former sheriff Nick Rauser, who was elected in November 2022, is stepping down from his position but will remain with the department, focusing on the school resource officer program.
- On March 27, the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office announced that former sheriff Nick Rauser was stepping down from his position.
- On April 2, 2026, the Broadwater County Commission unanimously approved Mark Wood as the interim sheriff.
The players
Mark Wood
A 36-year law enforcement veteran who has served 10 years with the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office, including as undersheriff. He was unanimously appointed as the interim sheriff by the Broadwater County Commission.
Nick Rauser
The former sheriff of Broadwater County, who was elected in November 2022. He is stepping down from his position but will remain with the department, focusing on the school resource officer program.
Broadwater County Commission
The governing body that unanimously approved Mark Wood as the interim sheriff of Broadwater County.
What they’re saying
“I've been in this profession for a long time, I'm just going to do what I've always done. I'm going to keep the citizens safe, I'm going to make sure the citizens see law enforcement in all the communities around here because that's what they pay for, and we're responsible to be there.”
— Mark Wood, Interim Sheriff, Broadwater County
“The office over there works very well together. They're all informed, they know about it, communication has been great.”
— Debi Randolph, Broadwater County Commission Chair
What’s next
Wood will fill the remainder of Rauser's term in office, which continues through the end of 2026. There will be an election in November for a new sheriff, and Wood is running for the position. Whoever voters choose will take office in January 2027.
The takeaway
The appointment of Mark Wood as interim sheriff ensures a smooth transition and continuity of leadership within the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office during a time of change. Wood's extensive law enforcement experience and familiarity with the department will help maintain public safety and community trust in the county's law enforcement.