Dukes appointed to Veterans Commission
Midwest City Matt Dukes speaks as Sen. Brenda Stanley listens on during a Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee meeting on April 3. Photo provided
By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon
Midwest City Mayor Matt Dukes has been appointed to serve on the Oklahoma Veterans Commission.
Dukes was nominated by Gov. Kevin Stitt and confirmed by the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee earlier this month. Sen. Brenda Stanley carried the nomination.
Dukes is a veteran having served in both the U.S. Coast Guard and Oklahoma Air National Guard. He also served on the Midwest City Police Department for 31 years, before being elected mayor in 2016.
“He [Dukes] brings a wealth of experience in law enforcement, military service and community leadership to this important role,” Stanley said. “… I think Matt is a perfect person to bring to the commission. He’s a veteran, his wife is a veteran, his son is deployed right now, and he comes from five generations of veterans.”
Dukes was one of three members appointed to the Veterans Commission this month. Rick Mutchler and Edward “Ted” Perry were also approved at the April 3 meeting.
During the meeting, Dukes told the committee that he views the new role as an extension of his public service.
“Veterans are a part of my life, I want to serve them,” Dukes said. “I come from a family of military service and it’s humbling to be standing before you and accept this nomination.”
The Oklahoma Veterans Commission is a nine-member body that provides oversight for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs. ODVA supports military veterans living in the state with a wide range of services and resources.
Dukes said he had been approached by Stanley in the past about potentially serving on the commission.
“I’m honored that she would ask me and am humbled to serve,” Dukes said.
Dukes is a lifelong Midwest City resident. He and his wife Norita have been married for 23 years. He has two sons one of which is a firefighter and the other serves in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Prior to becoming a police officer, Dukes served in the U.S. Coast Guard and later became a paramedic for Midwest City EMS. He joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard and eventually became a Midwest City police officer.
At the Police Department, Dukes was a Field Training Officer for 11 years before being promoted to supervisor in 1996. At different points in his police career, he has supervised all three patrol shifts and specialty units/programs such as the K-9 Program, Bike Patrol, Honor Guard and Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Community Action Office.
During Operation Enduring Freedom, Dukes was activated by the Air National Guard and deployed to Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba serving as NCOIC for detainee operations. During that activation, he also served as Air Guard liaison to the Security Force Director at Air Mobility Command.
In 2008, Dukes retired from the Oklahoma Air National Guard as a Chief Master Sergeant with 30 years of service. He had received numerous awards and commendations for his military service.
Dukes will serve a one-year term that ends July 1, 2026. The governor will have the choice to renew the appointment for another year term.
