Our featured speaker: Ozaukee County Sheriff, Christy Knowles
After going to college, I started off my young professional career in the medical field. Still unsure of my life goals, in 1999 I applied to the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office and was hired as a Deputy-Jailer. As I began my law enforcement career, I realized that I found my “forever” job. I was promoted to Deputy-Patrol in 2001. I spent the next six (6) years in the patrol division. While here, I also was assigned as a field training officer, training newly promoted deputies. In 2007 I was promoted to Detective. I was a general investigator; however, I specialized in sensitive crimes. This is where my passion for helping victims shined. I spent the next five (5) years as a detective. I was promoted to Patrol Lieutenant in 2012. This position prepared me for the future as it taught me how to respond to personnel issues. In 2015 I was promoted to Operations Captain where I helped develop several programs that partner with the community. In 2019 I was appointed to the Undersheriff. Here is where I gained much knowledge about the key functions of the Sheriff’s Office that included managing personnel, the budget process, policy management and the jail. It was not until taking office as Sheriff in 2023 when I fully realized what the responsibility of running a Sheriff’s Office of 130 personnel was really like.
My educational experience was well rounded. I attended Marquette University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and MATC. I was beginning to think I would be a lifelong scholar before I was hired by the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office. I have three children, James, Madilyn and Vincent, all young adults now. They are still my number one priority, and I enjoy taking them on this journey with me. They experienced my first term as Sheriff and learned about service to others and always doing things for the right reasons, through the eyes of a Sheriff and a mother. My volunteer service has focused on my children. For six years I was a Girl Scout leader for my daughter’s troop, for two years I was the Boy Scout Advancement Coordinator for my son’s pack, and for six years I coached girls youth basketball. I always found a way to give back to the community while still being present for my children. I continue to do that through my son’s wrestling club, the Port Washington-Saukville Rotary club and Ozaukee Food Alliance.
I absolutely love what I do; being a mom, working for the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office and being Ozaukee County Sheriff. I take pride in serving the people of Ozaukee County. I have made lasting connections with members of this community who have helped me be successful as Sheriff. I look forward to another four years at making Ozaukee County a great, safe and fun place to live!