From Cop to Creative: Koppel Police Chief Finds Outlet in Woodworking

When he’s not protecting and serving the community of Koppel, Police Chief Matt Smock finds himself sawing and designing works of art.

Smock, 40, said although being a police officer is always something he has wanted to do and has been a rewarding career for the past 8 years, there isn’t as much creativity on the job as he craves. That creativity is released in his woodwork.

“It’s the custom work that really gets me into woodworking,” said Smock, who owns .308 Carpentry.

Smock, who was a fitter/welder for 12 years before entering the police academy, said that experience has come into play as he works to expand his business. He uses a CNC machine in conjunction with traditional woodworking techniques and burning to build signs, tables, chairs, door and window trim, custom flags, coffee tables, corn hole boards, shadow boxes and other household and decorative items.

“Many of the same techniques used on steel I now apply to wood,” he said.

Working from scratch, Smock lives by the .308 motto of “Built Not Bought.”

This .308 Carpentry venture began last summer when Smock was adding on to his home to provide more living space for his family including his wife, his two children, and his Rottweiler. He decided to use his skills and knowledge in combination with help from his dad to do the construction work himself, which allowed him to give a custom look to the trim and furnishings in his new addition—a theme that he has also started to carry throughout the rest of his existing home. Smock, armed with design “requests” from his wife, Kristen, has added an island table and trim in the kitchen.

But his keen eye isn’t only used to spruce up his own home. Smock has done a lot of woodworking for charity events. He said he enjoys being able to use his talent and skills to help groups, especially military and police. In addition to input from his wife and family, Smock often collaborates with his neighbor and friend Anthony Mazzant. He said they enjoy working on charity builds together.

“We feed off of each other’s ideas,” Smock said.

With a skill for building and his knowledge of running the machines, Smock said he is open to all custom orders.

“The possibilities are endless,” he said. “I am not against building anything.”

From military insignia to superheroes to sports logos, there isn’t anything that he isn’t willing to create. Although he is a die-hard Broncos fan, Smock caters to fans of other teams. He can even put family photos on wooden items.

It’s the creative outlet that keeps him coming back for more and taking more orders from friends, family, and the public.

“I really enjoy when I get to put my own twist on designs,” he said.

He hopes to one day expand .308 Carpentry and is ready for more custom orders.

See more of Matt Smock’s work by checking out his Facebook page: .308 Carpentry or his website www.308carpentry.com