Mitzi Johanknecht is sworn in as King County Sheriff, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 in Seattle. Johanknecht, a veteran of the force, defeated incumbent Sheriff John Urquhart in November.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
Wife of Mitzi Johanknecht, Maureen Warren, applauds as Johanknecht walks toward her after being sworn in as the new King County Sheriff, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
Maureen Warren pins the sheriff's badge on her wife, new King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht, after Johanknecht was sworn in, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 in Seattle. Johanknecht, a veteran of the force, defeated incumbent Sheriff John Urquhart in November.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
Maureen Warren reacts after her wife, new King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht, after Johanknecht was sworn in, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 in Seattle. Johanknecht, a veteran of the force, defeated incumbent Sheriff John Urquhart in November.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht hugs members of her command staff after administer the oath of office, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 in Seattle. Johanknecht, a veteran of the force, defeated incumbent Sheriff John Urquhart in November.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
New King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht gives closing remarks after being sworn in, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
New King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht, left, stands with her wife Maureen Waren as the color guard exits the room after Johanknecht's swearing-in ceremony, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 in Seattle.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
New King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht, shakes hands with King County Council Chair Joe McDermott, left, and King County Executive Dow Constantine, right, after being sworn in, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
Judge Inveen signs a certificate after swearing in Mitzi Johanknecht as new King County Sheriff, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 in Seattle.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
Mitzi Johanknecht's family, including wife Maureen Warren, cheer as she is sworn in as King County Sheriff, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 in Seattle.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
New King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht, sits with her wife Maureen Waren after being sworn in, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 in Seattle.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
Friends and family look on as new King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht is sworn in, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
New King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht poses for a photo with her family after being sworn in, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
Mitzi Johanknecht is sworn in as King County Sheriff by Judge Laura Inveen, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 in Seattle. Johanknecht, a veteran of the force, defeated incumbent Sheriff John Urquhart in November.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
Members of the King County Sheriffs department look on from the back of the room as Mitzi Johanknecht is sworn in as King County Sheriff by Judge Laura Inveen, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 in Seattle. Johanknecht, a veteran of the force, defeated incumbent Sheriff John Urquhart in November.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
New King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht shakes hands with King County Executive Dow Constantine after being sworn in, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
King County employees stand and are recognized after during a swearing-in ceremony for new King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
New King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht kisses her wife Maureen Warren, after she was sworn in, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 in Seattle.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
Members of the color guard wait outside before the swearing-in ceremony of new King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 in Seattle. Johanknecht, a veteran of the force, defeated incumbent Sheriff John Urquhart in November.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
New King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht holds a young boy before during her swearing-in ceremony, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
Mitzi Johanknecht is sworn in as King County Sheriff by Judge Laura Inveen, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 in Seattle. Johanknecht, a veteran of the force, defeated incumbent Sheriff John Urquhart in November.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
A woman ask for a selfie with new King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht after Johanknecht's swearing-in ceremony, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
The King County Sheriff's Department color guard stands at attention during a swearing-in ceremony for new sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
New King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht laughs with her wife Maureen Warenn after being sworn in, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018.GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
In a packed courtroom at the King County Courthouse, Mitzi Johanknecht was sworn in as the new King County Sheriff Tuesday morning.
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Johanknecht, a 33-year veteran of the sheriff's office, was the first woman to command TAC-30, the King County Sheriff's Office SWAT team and has served in leadership roles in every division. Her most recent position was commander of Precinct 4 in Burien.
Johanknecht's family, including her wife Maureen Warren and adult daughter Sydni, were in attendance as Judge Laura Inveen administered the Oath of Office. Warren pinned the sheriff's badge to her wife's jacket during the ceremony.
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In a November election upset, Johanknecht unseated five-year incumbent John Urquhart.
King County Executive Dow Constantine and King County Council Chair Joe McDermott also spoke during the ceremony.
