Former Spokane Co. sheriff to speak here

DAYTON–Former Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich will give the keynote address when the Columbia County Republican Central Committee holds its annual Lincoln Day Dinner here Saturday, October 14 at the Fairground Pavilion.

The annual celebration in honor of the sixteenth president of the United States will also feature updates from local legislators Rep. Mary Dye (R-9-Pomeroy) and Rep. Joe Schmick (R-9-Colfax), a representative of the Washington State Republican Party, National Republican Committeewoman Marlene Pfeiffer and messages from Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Jim Walsh, chairman of the State Republican organization.

Numerous items are up for auction in a silent auction, as well as a popular pie auction to complement the catered prime rib meal.

Knezovich, as a former law-enforcement official, will speak on topics including law and order and the related political implications, and effects on liberty of American citizens, and other topics.

Knezovich was appointed sheriff of Spokane County in April, 2006, and elected the following fall. He served nearly 17 years until retirement at the end of 2022, with a total of 32 years in the law-enforcement profession.

As Sheriff of Spokane County, Knezovich oversaw the law enforcement activities in the unincorporated areas of Spokane County and several contract cities and towns to include the City of Spokane Valley. He was also responsible for managing the County's Department of Emergency Management.

Prior to being appointed to the office of Sheriff, he held numerous positions within the Sheriff's Office: patrol deputy, field training officer, property crimes detective, sex crimes detective, SWAT team operator, SWAT team supervisor, patrol supervisor, and training supervisor.

Knezovich started his law enforcement career in 1990 as the Chief of Police for the Town of Superior, Wyo. He also served as a patrol officer for the City of Olympia, Wash., and the City of Rock Springs, Wyo., where he currently resides.

He has served as president of the Washington Sheriffs' and Police Chiefs' Association and co-chair of the following committees and Boards for the Washington Sheriffs' and Police Chiefs' Association and the state of Washington.

He also served as an executive board member and president of the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA). FBI-LEEDA is an organization dedicated to developing professional law enforcement leaders within the law enforcement community.

Tickets to the fund-raising event are available at Dingle's of Dayton.