Ryan Kenney

Town of Vail Chief of Police
(970) 479-3433
rkenney@vail.gov

Chief Ryan Kenney has been with the Vail Police Department since 2017 and started as Vail Police Chief in March of 2023. He spent 23 years with the Boca Raton Police Department in Florida before retiring from the department as a lieutenant. Chief Kenney leads a 64-person organization and a county-wide communications center that provides communications services to 11 agencies in in Eagle County.

                                                     Matthew Westenfelder

Town of Vail Police Deputy Chief            
(970) 479-2346
 mwestenfelder@vail.gov

Deputy Chief Matthew Westenfelder has been in law enforcement since 2003. He started career with the Avon Police Department, where he worked for eight years before moving to the Eagle County Sheriff's Office, where he worked for 11 years. He transferred to the Vail Police Department at the rank of sergeant in 2022. During his time with the Avon Police Department, Deputy Chief Westenfelder was selected to join the Eagle County Special Operations Unit (SOU) and was promoted to Team Leader in 2015. In 2023 he was promoted to Operations Commander within the Vail Police Department and Deputy Commander in the SOU. Deputy Chief Westenfelder is married to an Eagle County School District principal and is a father of two. In his off time, he enjoys bird hunting with his dog and fishing.

                                                     Christopher Botkins 

Town of Vail Operations Commander
 (970) 479-2329
cbotkins@vail.gov

Commander Christopher Botkins has been in law enforcement since 2004 and has been with the Vail Police Department his entire career.  He has served as sergeant, detective sergeant and master sergeant.  Commander Botkins was selected to join the Eagle County Special Operations Unit (SOU) in 2006 and currently holds the position of Team Leader.  In January 2025, he was promoted to the position of Operations Commander.  Commander Botkins is a husband of 20 years and a father of twins.  In his off time, he enjoys hunting, fishing and mountain biking.

                                                      Zak Sheets

Public Safety Communications Center Director 
(970) 479-2231
 zsheets@vail.gov

Director Zak Sheets has been a dedicated professional in the 911 emergency communications industry since 2011. His career began in West Tennessee, where he steadily advanced from a line-level dispatcher to roles including trainer, lead dispatcher and supervisor. In 2021, he and his family relocated to Colorado, where he quickly advanced from a line-level dispatcher to roles including trainer, lead dispatcher, supervisor, operations manager and director.

Throughout his career, he has remained committed to leadership development, operational excellence and professional education. He has held certifications as a training officer through both APCO and NENA, and currently holds the Center Manager Certification Program (CMCP) credential and is a certified Emergency Number Professional (ENP) through NENA. His experience spans frontline operations to executive leadership, and he continues to advocate for innovation, resilience and service excellence in public safety communications.