Chief Jonathan Zitzmann serves as the Chief Deputy for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, one of Texas’s largest sheriff’s offices. In this pivotal role, Chief Zitzmann oversees all operations of the Sheriff's Office under the leadership of Sheriff Wesley Doolittle. His responsibilities include managing a workforce of 1,100 employees, overseeing the daily custody of 1,200 county jail inmates, and ensuring the delivery of comprehensive law enforcement services to nearly 750,000 residents in one of the nation’s fastest-growing counties.
Prior to his current position, Chief Zitzmann distinguished himself as a Captain with the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office—the largest constable’s office in the United States—and as the Assistant Chief of Police at the Madisonville Police Department. Chief Zitzmann teaches graduate courses in public administration at Sam Houston State University and undergraduate courses in criminal justice at multiple universities.
Chief Zitzmann holds a Master of Science in Criminology from East Texas A&M University and a Master of Public Administration from Sam Houston State University. Additionally, he is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command and completed the Certified Public Manager Program at Arizona State University. Throughout his career, Chief Zitzmann has held various key positions, including agency training coordinator, field training officer, grant manager, budget officer, EOC liaison, and commander over patrol, criminal investigations, code enforcement, K9, IT, motors, and special operations. He is a graduate of the TEEX Police Academy and holds a Master Peace Officer License.
Chief Zitzmann has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the prestigious Houston 100 Club Officer of the Year Award, Madisonville Police Department Officer of the Year Award, Constable’s Office Captain of the Year Award, Trilogy Award, TCOLE Academic Recognition Award, and multiple unit citations and commendations. He is a sought-after speaker, having presented at events such as Arizona State University’s CPM Graduation, Leadership North Houston, The Woodlands Township, and gatherings organized by the Spring-Klein and Houston Northwest Chambers of Commerce. Additionally, he has served as an elected director for the Encanto Real Utility District and contributes to several community and education-related committees and advisory boards.
Chief Zitzmann is supported by his wife, Kayla, an educator and literacy specialist with Klein ISD and they are the proud parents of three daughters.