SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich is standing by remarks in which he blamed former President Barack Obama for emboldening people to "hunt and assassinate" law enforcement officers.
"I've seen the time when no one wants to wear a badge," said Knezovich, who watched three of his deputies resign last year. "Never in my history have we been hunted and assassinated, and I blame Barack Obama."
Knezovich made the comments Saturday at a conservative rally in Spokane Valley in support of President Donald Trump.
The Republican sheriff told The Spokesman-Review that Obama's rhetoric is part of a broader war on cops that inspired attacks on officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Dallas; New York and other cities.
Sheriff @SheriffOzzie discusses firearm incident at the @SpokaneArena. https://t.co/bDSySPg9Zn pic.twitter.com/SiCpYGZIG1
— Spokane Talks (@SpokaneTalks) February 17, 2017
The chairman of the Spokane County Democrats, Andrew Biviano, is urging the sheriff to tone down his rhetoric and use more nuanced language.
According to the Washington Post, the number of law enforcement officers intentionally killed each year has been steadily declining for decades and reached historic lows during Obama's presidency.
Associated Press
