Matthew W. Griffis is a 15-year member of the Sons of The American Legion, Squadron 109 in Vail, Arizona, joining on June 4, 2012. His eligibility is through his father, Alfred Wayne Griffis, a retired 28-year U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant, E-9, and member of American Legion Post 109 in Vail, Arizona.
Matthew currently serves as the National Western Region Membership Chair. He previously served as National Sergeant-at-Arms under National Commander Joseph Navarrette for 2024–2025. His leadership experience includes Past National Executive Committeeman for the Detachment of Arizona, Past Detachment Commander of Arizona, Area “A” Vice Commander, and Squadron 109 Commander. In 2016, he was recognized as the Detachment of Arizona Sons Member of the Year.
He has also served for the past nine years as Director of the American Legion Law Enforcement Career Academy and is a member of American Legion Riders Chapter 109 in Vail, Arizona. Matthew is the founder and chairman of the C.H.A.M.P. Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting the Fisher House of Southern Arizona at the VA Hospital, raising more than $500,000.
On September 26, 2020, Matthew was endorsed by the Detachment of Arizona as a candidate for Western Region National Vice Commander under S.A.L. Resolution No. 3, Fall 2020. He is also a graduate of National Management Institute Class 3, completing the program on April 30, 2022.
Professionally, Matthew retired from the Tucson Police Department after 27 years of service and previously served five years in law enforcement in Florida, totaling 32 years of police experience. Since 2012, he has worked as a federal contract employee supporting the Department of Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration in security operations. His combined law enforcement experience exceeds 45 years.
During his Tucson Police Department career, Matthew spent 17 years as a training officer, including his final five years assigned to the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board. His work included managing and instructing law enforcement training at all levels, from basic to advanced, as well as youth driver training and Police Explorer programs.
Matthew is the father of two children and grandfather of four.
