Matthew Yates

Deputy Sheriff Matthew Yates gave his life protecting the citizens of Clark County after proudly serving with the Sheriff’s department for 15 years. He started his career working in the jails and transitioned to road deputy. Yates was a proud member of the Special Operations Team (SOT) and named Officer of the Year in 2019. He was shot and killed while responding to a shots-fired call in Harmony Estates.

Matt was the true definition of community policing and could often be found at local schools interacting with students, whether it be playing basketball or monitoring the crosswalks. He was a team player and was always there when needed. Yates never met a stranger and always had a big smile on his face, ready to shake each person’s hand and ask the customary “You good?” to check in on them.

Service above self was Matt’s motto and co-workers said you felt safer when he was around. While Deputy Yates is missed, his spirit of giving and positive outlook lives on in the community with a variety of tributes, including a scholarship for people wanting to go into law enforcement. Therefore, Matt’s legacy of service continues in the community he so dearly loved and proudly served.