Ozzie Knezovich
A candidate for Sheriff, Spokane County in the 2014 Nov. 4 Washington General Election
Party: Republican
Age: 61
City: Western Spokane County, Wash.
Occupation: Spokane County sheriff
OZZIE KNEZOVICH
Education: Graduated from Rock Springs High School in Wyoming. Graduated from Weber State College with an integrated studies bachelor’s degree in 1985.
Work experience: Became town marshal in Superior, Wyoming in 1990. Joined Rock Springs, Wyoming police force in 1991. Joined Olympia Police Department in 1995. Joined Spokane County Sheriff’s Office as deputy in 1996. Became sergeant in 2004. Appointed Spokane County sheriff by county commissioners in 2006 and won election to the post in November of that year. Re-elected while unopposed in 2010.
Political experience: Former president of the Spokane County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. Former president of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. Named to the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development Association in 2008. Served as president of that group in 2012.
Military: U.S. Army airborne medical specialist and combat medic, served in Korea, 1987-90.
Family: Married, three grown children.
Contact information
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Ozzie Knezovich (R) | 103,412 | 70.92% |
| Doug Orr (R) | 42,394 | 29.08% |
Related Coverage
No charges for deputy in young cyclist’s fatal crash
Three separate investigations into the death of a 15-year-old bicyclist last May in Spokane Valley have determined that a speeding patrol car driven by a sheriff’s deputy did not strike the teen as preliminary reports suggested, the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday. Instead, investigators found that Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Bodman braked and swerved to the right, missing West Valley High School student Ryan Holyk – by as little as one foot – as Holyk and a friend crossed Sprague Avenue on bicycles about 10:30 p.m. May 23.
Deputy returns fire and shoots man, incident likely captured by officer body camera
A Spokane County Sheriff’s deputy shot a man tonight after the man fired at him, sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Mark Gregory said.
Investigation shows deputy did not strike teenage bicyclist who died
Three separate investigations into a May bicycling fatality have determined that the patrol car driven by Spokane County sheriff’s Deputy Joe Bodman did not strike 15-year-old bicyclist Ryan Holyk, according to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office.
Spokane Deputy Brian Hirzel fired for misusing patrol car
A Spokane County sheriff’s deputy cleared of wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of a Spokane Valley pastor in 2010 has been fired for improperly using county-owned vehicles. Brian Hirzel, of Hayden, was driving his patrol car to and from his home without permission, said Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich.
Pro-law enforcement rally draws 100 outside Spokane courthouse
No one said “Je suis Ahmed” or mentioned the recent unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, but the 100 people who gathered in the cold air and orange lamplight near the Spokane County Courthouse Friday evening were there to show support for law enforcement officers in troubled times. As organizers passed around candles and hand-warmers, conversation remained quiet until the occasional squad car pulled close and the crowd cheered. The lights on top of the vehicle would usually blaze in approval and move on, into the garage and back to work.
‘Constitutionalists’ protest at Spokane Valley Police Precinct
A protest spurred by a Spokane County sheriff’s deputy’s statement that angered self-described constitutionalists drew more than 300 people to the Spokane Valley Police Precinct parking lot Saturday afternoon. Many of those in attendance carried rifles, handguns or both. A series of speakers criticized Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich and called on him to give back the mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle (MRAP) that the department received for no cost as military surplus.
Smart Bombs: A constitutionalist context
Video shot at the Spokane Valley Mall shows a deputy explaining why the Sheriff’s Office needs a mine-resistant, military-style vehicle. He replies, “We’ve got a lot of constitutionalists and a lot of people that stockpile weapons, a lot of ammunition.” I’m not thrilled with the militarization of law enforcement, but I don’t believe the buildup is leading to an assault on law-abiding citizens. Law enforcement is increasingly afraid of the public and vice versa.
300 protest against deputy comment; activist says people should be ‘armed equal to the police’
A protest spurred by a Spokane County Sheriff’s deputy statement that angered self-described constitutionalists drew more than 300 people to the Spokane Valley Police Precinct parking lot Saturday afternoon.
Police investigating after alleged confrontation involving sheriff
A former Spokane County deputy undersheriff said he was chest bumped by Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich earlier this month outside a candidate forum in Northeast Spokane.
Doug Clark: Political pollution is grime against nature
Today we celebrate the winners of my Sign Gripe Contest, which rewards readers for picking the most hideous examples of real estate infected by campaign signs. Before getting to that, however, I would first like to name the contest’s undisputed loser.