Kinzer Is Sworn In

Russ Kinzer was sworn in as Powder River County Undersheriff on Monday. Veterans Day was a fitting date for the swearing in ceremony as Kinzer, a US Army Veteran, read the Public Safety Officer's Code of Ethics, presented by Sheriff Devin Boman, who is also a US Army Vet.

Kinzer was born in Miles City, spending many of his formative years on the west coast and going to high school in Washington. He told us during an interview following the swearing-in ceremony that after high school he became a firefighter and EMT, and won "Firefighter of the Year" in Thurston County, Washington, (Olympia) in 2000.

In 2005, Kinzer began his military service, serving a tour in Iraq and another in Afghanistan, where he served in leadership roles that would provide essential experience for his new role as Undersheriff.

Kinzer and his family would later move back to Montana. Russ's wife, Cody, grew up in Broadus, making a good landing spot for the couple's budding family, which now includes 6 kids and two adult foster children.

Russ has worked at several positions throughout the Broadus community, including electrical work and construction, and most recently as a UPS driver for 8 years before donning the law enforcement badge on Monday.

Kinzer told us one of his reasons for entering law enforcement was that some of the most fulfilling times in his life were when he worked in those service roles – in firefighting and the military, and he looked forward to serving his people and community in this new role.

Russ is looking to attend the Monana Law Enforcement Academy in the spring.

He joins a force currently manned by Sheriff Boman and Deputies Ayche Draine, Cory Seamann, and Lane Robinson, who recently graduated from the LEO academy.