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About Ozzie Knezovich
Ozzie Knezovich grew up in the area of Rock Springs, Wyoming.  His father and grandfather worked in the union coal mines in the Rock Springs area.
Ozzie began working in the family business when his father started a small earthmoving company. By the time Ozzie was 18 years old, he was helping run the company with the responsibilities of bidding, planning and managing construction projects. This is where he developed his "Can do attitude". Ozzie believes in saying what he can do rather than what he can't do. He believes that people want to hear what can be done...not what can't be done.
Ozzie worked his way through college taking jobs as a laborer in the coal mines, as a heavy equipment operator for the Sweetwater County road and bridge department, and part time for the family business. He graduated from Weber State College with a bachelors degree in management, law enforcement and marketing.
 After college, Ozzie chose to serve his country by joining the military. He served in the United States Army for 3 years, attaining the rank of sergeant. He was placed in various leadership roles during his entire tour of duty. At his first duty station, Ozzie was assigned the task of developing a rapid deployment system for the battalion's medical assets.
Entering law enforcement after leaving the military, Ozzie now has 15 years of law enforcement training, the last 10 years with the Spokane Sheriff's Office. Ozzie believes that in order to really understand and know how to do something, it is best to learn it well enough to teach others. He has been a Field Training Officer in the patrol division, a Training Officer in the detectives division and for the SWAT team. Until his appointment as Sheriff, Ozzie was assigned as the training unit supervisor. His responsibilities in this position included: the coordination of all training for the Sheriff's Office, hiring of new personnel, the Sheriff's Office's accreditation program, and development of policy and procedures.
Ozzie was unanimously appointed the 25th Sheriff of Spokane County on April 11th, 2006 by the Spokane County Board of Commissioners.
Family:
Ozzie married his wife of 19 years, Paula, on February 14, 1987.
While Ozzie was stationed in Korea as part of the 1st of the 503rd Light Infantry Battalion. Paula, with their baby daughter Jessica, was able to join him for about nine months. Paula lived a mile and a half from the base, Camp Hovey, the northern most US military base, about sixty miles from the DMZ. Frequently seen by the soldiers on the post, on laundry days Paula would walk the mile and a half to the post, pushing Jessica in a stroller and carrying a duffle bag. Ozzie and Paula have made an effort toward being together in order to share all of their life's adventures.
Ozzie and Paula's children (Jessica, Jenny and Nikoli) participate in school activities, sports, church activities and community service. Ozzie describes himself as a homebody.  He enjoys spending time with his family camping, fishing, hunting, biking, lifting weights, running and watching the kids participate in sports. Ozzie is active in his church, helps with Boy Scouts and coaches Little Guy wrestling. Paula works for the Reardan-Edwall school district, is active in church, has coached track and is involved in many of the school's clubs.
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Ozzie For Sheriff
Phone: 509-838-6999
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Ozzie Knezovich
P.O. Box 759
Airway Heights, WA 99001
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