For Matthew Lindemann, serving as Pct. 3 Constable has been one of the greatest honors of his life. This role has allowed him to ensure the safety of his community and uphold the law with dedication and integrity. However, Matthew believes he can do even more, which is why he is stepping up to run for sheriff, driven by a desire to serve all of Williamson County with the same commitment he has shown throughout his career.
Matthew’s journey into law enforcement began unexpectedly. As a young boy, he dreamed of becoming a firefighter, even chasing fire trucks on his bicycle and later volunteering for the Bartlett Fire Department. However, his path took a decisive turn after a personal experience. While working in his father’s store, he was a victim of a robbery, and the local police chief’s swift response left a lasting impression on him. This moment of courage and justice inspired Matthew to pursue a career where he could make a similar impact.
In 1984, a ride-along with a Bell County sheriff’s deputy further fueled his passion for law enforcement. “Within 10 minutes, we were involved in a sensational arrest,” Matthew recalls. “It was more excitement than I had experienced in several years with the fire department, and I never looked back.”
Today, with nearly 40 years of experience in law enforcement, Matthew Lindemann is ready to bring his expertise, dedication, and vision to the role of sheriff. “I’ve lived here all my life, raised my kids here, and now my grandkids,” Matthew says. “I want to keep it safe for them and everyone who calls Williamson County home.”
As constable, Matthew’s responsibilities closely mirror those of a sheriff, including managing personnel, working with elected officials, and overseeing budgets and equipment. However, the role of sheriff presents new challenges and opportunities — ones he is eager to embrace. “The only significant difference is that a constable doesn’t manage a jail, but I’ve had that experience too,” Matthew explains. His first job in law enforcement was with the Williamson County Sheriff’s office, where he learned valuable lessons in managing difficult situations.
TEXAS RANGER TO CONSTABLE
Matthew’s extensive experience in law enforcement is backed by impressive credentials. He is a Master Peace Officer, the highest certification in Texas law enforcement, and a graduate of the National Forensic Academy in Tennessee, with more than 6,637 hours of documented training. “The forensic academy was a great experience,” Matthew says. “I learned a lot about crime scene investigations. As sheriff, I would not conduct these investigations myself, but I have the experience to ensure my team’s work meets the highest standards.”
His distinguished career also includes two years on the Department of Public Safety (DPS) SWAT team, responding to high-threat situations across Texas. As a Texas Ranger, Matthew was a firearms instructor and digital police photography instructor, training officers from all over the state. He has worked on major investigations, from cattle theft to capital murder, and helped supervise high-profile cases like the 2017 Sutherland Springs church shooting and the Austin bombings in 2018.
Matthew has seen Williamson County grow and evolve, and he is proud to have grown alongside it. “In the early days, it was normal to have just two deputies on patrol for the entire county after 1am. Now, we have a minimum of nine deputies per shift, and I will work to provide greater coverage on the east side of IH-35,” Matthew notes.
NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN?
Matthew’s decision to run for sheriff was not made lightly. After the sudden passing of Constable Kevin Stofle in 2021, Kevin’s wife Laura asked Matthew to consider taking over. “She agreed that in law enforcement, even when we are doing our very best, there are still those who will criticize. But she said, ‘We still need good people to step up and do the job.’ ” That conversation, combined with his dedication to the community, led him to take on the role, and Matthew is now ready to take the next step.
Matthew’s career has also been marked by his ability to collaborate effectively with agencies across the county, state, and nation. His time with the Texas Rangers provided invaluable experience and a vast network of professional contacts, allowing him to work seamlessly with other law enforcement entities. Whether investigating cartel-related kidnappings or working alongside Border Patrol and Texas Military Forces during reconnaissance missions along the southern border, Matthew has consistently demonstrated his capacity to lead and cooperate in complex, high-stakes situations. His deep understanding of inter-agency collaboration ensures that, as sheriff, he will be able to leverage these relationships to tackle cross-jurisdictional crime and bring additional resources to Williamson County whenever necessary.
“On a major investigation, you have to get everyone going in the same direction. There can be no egos and we all have one goal.”
As sheriff, Matthew’s vision includes maintaining the programs and services that are already working well while building on them to address the county’s growing needs. He also intends to prioritize the training, equipment, and compensation of his deputies, aiming to retain top talent in the Sheriff’s Office. He is committed to working closely with the county and district attorney to ensure the cases he turns over result in successful prosecutions. “I developed a great understanding of those criteria when I worked at the district attorney’s office,” he adds.
Matthew recognizes that the biggest challenges for the county’s law enforcement are keeping pace with rapid growth and maintaining the high level of service that residents expect. He is particularly focused on improving safety and services in the often-underserved east side of the county. He understands the delicate balance between providing adequate service and convincing commissioners that the Sheriff’s Office needs more resources. “Sometimes, there are only three deputies covering the entire east side,” he notes. “I assure the folks in Hutto and Taylor that I’ll do everything possible to enhance their safety.”
Constable Lindemann promises to be tough on crime while being fair to everyone. He is committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of the community, from seniors targeted by scams to children at risk of exploitation. He is also determined to combat the influx of fentanyl and other illegal activities in the county. “It’s unfortunate that many crimes are committed by people who aren’t even supposed to be here,” he says.
With nearly 40 years of law enforcement experience, Matthew Lindemann is ready to bring his expertise, dedication, and vision to the role of county sheriff. He is committed to keeping Williamson County a safe and welcoming place for all its residents. “I want to keep Williamson County safe for my children, grandchildren, and everyone who calls it home.”
No matter where I worked or what job I had, I have always wanted what is best for the Sheriff’s Office.
Mastery of Multi-Agency Collaboration in a High-Stakes Kidnapping
On the morning of February 28, 2008, business owner Paul Roland was abducted from his parking lot on his way to work. What unfolded was a chilling revelation: the man responsible for orchestrating the kidnapping was a contractor employed by Paul’s brother. Matthew says, “To our knowledge, the man had found himself in deep debt to a Mexican cartel known as the Zetas. Despite the family’s efforts to support him, the man hired accomplices to help carry out the abduction, snatching Paul as he left his apartment for a job in Houston.”
When Paul failed to show up at work, his family quickly alerted the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. Acting swiftly, deputies located Paul’s vehicle and cell phone abandoned in a field near San Marcos. The situation escalated by 7pm when the Texas Rangers were called in, and Lt. Matthew Lindemann shared the lead on the case, working tirelessly through the night. At 5am, the kidnappers made first contact, demanding a $500,000 ransom—a sign that Paul was still alive, which reinvigorated the search efforts.
Matthew recalls, “We were coordinating with the Sheriff’s Office, the Rangers, San Antonio police, the FBI, and every other agency we could think of.” The trail led south, and Paul’s credit card was flagged as the kidnappers moved closer to the Mexican border. Law enforcement teams arrived at each location to review footage but, each time, found themselves about an hour behind.
Federal Marshals used advanced technology to track the kidnappers to a rundown motel in San Antonio. Surveillance was set up, and around 2am, a van pulled up and a group moved from the motel to the vehicle. Officers surveilled the van — which later crashed — and found Paul inside. Reflecting on the moment, Matthew said, “I’ve never been happier to see someone alive in my life.”
The operation was a testament to collaboration and the determination of law enforcement. More than 100 officers were involved, pooling resources like the gym bag full of $250,000 “flash cash” arranged between DPS and Sheriff James Wilson to fake a ransom drop. Rangers then arranged to track Paul’s brother’s vehicle as he followed the kidnappers’ ever-changing instructions. But as the situation grew increasingly dangerous, with the brother nearing a remote and more perilous area, Matthew and his team had continued to do everything they could to get him back but were forced to make a critical decision: they halted the pursuit at 9pm, suspecting the kidnappers intended to rob and possibly kill Paul’s brother and potentially leave Paul unrecovered.
At 2am, the van was recovered, bringing a tense day to a dramatic close. The emotional toll on the Roland family was immense—a trauma that took years to heal. The ordeal was so profound that the couple authored a book, Walking Between the Raindrops, to process their lingering fears and document the extraordinary efforts of the Rangers and other law enforcement agencies. Their story is both a testament to resilience and a stark warning: such a nightmare could happen to anyone.