Ozzie Knezovich
A candidate for Spokane County Sheriff, Spokane County in the 2014 Washington Primary Election, Aug. 5
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) | 64,435 | 72.25% |
| Doug Orr (R) | 24,748 | 27.75% |
Related Coverage
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.
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Two face 201 counts in 40 Green Bluff burglaries
Two 21-year-olds were accused Thursday in a string of 40 Green Bluff burglaries. Trever J. Burzic and Damian A. Zowal face 201 felonies after sheriff’s officials say they broke into rural homes while no one was home to steal $100,000 worth of guns and jewelry to fuel a drug habit.
Knezovich, police ombudsman Tim Burns discussing county role
Depending on whom you ask, the timing of Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich’s request for the Spokane police ombudsman to assume a similar role for the county may be perfect, or politically motivated. Discussions between Knezovich and Tim Burns, the man who’s conducted internal reviews of police cases since 2008, have ramped up in recent weeks to formalize a long-standing relationship between the two agencies, the two men said. Knezovich said his pitch to county commissioners Tuesday morning is the culmination of months of discussions he’s had with Burns and the Center for Justice to develop an oversight structure of the department similar to the one in place at the city.
Spokane County sheriff candidates Q&A
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Q&A: Spokane County sheriff candidates Ozzie Knezovich and Doug Orr
Spokane County sheriff’s candidates were allowed 50 words to respond to each of five questions. Their responses are listed in the order they appear on the ballot.
Republican incumbents carry the day in local races
A slate of inconsequential primaries delivered results Tuesday night as both candidates in a number of two-person races moved forward to November’s general election with a better idea of where their support lies. It was a night for incumbents in the Republican Party as state Sen. Michael Baumgartner, Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich and state Rep. Matt Shea all took commanding leads of at least 10 percentage points over their opponents. In the largest spread, Knezovich walloped his challenger, Doug Orr, besting him by 33,000 votes of just 74,000 cast in early returns.
Another big storm slams into region
Another strong thunderstorm hit the northern parts of Spokane and Spokane County on Saturday evening, downing trees and power lines and sparking many brush fires. Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said Saturday evening that every resource available in Spokane County Fire District 4 was out fighting fires and resources from other districts were coming to the district’s assistance.
Sheriff: Deputy fired for overbilling Best Buy for security work
A Spokane County Sheriff’s deputy was fired this week after he billed a local business for work he didn’t do, Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said Tuesday. Deputy Charles “Chuck” Sciortino left his post at Best Buy on Black Friday to work patrol but billed the store for a full 12-hour shift, Knezovich said.
Spokane sheriff’s deputy fired for misconduct
Spokane County sheriff’s Deputy Charles Sciortino was fired Monday following an investigation into allegations he worked an extra job while on duty.