Ozzie Knezovich
The Sheriff For
Spokane County(R)

About Ozzie Knezovich

Ozzie Knezovich grew up in the Rock Springs area of Wyoming. His father and grandfather worked in the union coal mines near Rock Springs.

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 that people want to hear what can be done… not what cannot 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 bachelor's 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.

Ozzie was unanimously appointed the 25th Sheriff of Spokane County on April 11th, 2006 by the Spokane County Board of Commissioners and was elected Sheriff of Spokane County in the General Election by 75% of the voting citizens.

With 19 years of law enforcement training, the last 14 years with the Spokane Sheriff's Office, Ozzie continues to believe that quality training is the key to professional law enforcement. During his career, he has served as 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.

Family:
Ozzie married his wife of 23 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. 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 and teaches Sunday school. 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.

All original graphics and text are copyrighted © 2009 by
the Committee to Re-elect Ozzie Knezovich and may not be used without permission.