SPOKANE, Wash. --- Spokane County was reimbursed more than $12,000 on Tuesday for the manhunt for Anthony Garver.
Anthony Garver escaped from Western State Hospital and fled to Spokane a few months ago.
Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich insisted that the state pay those costs...
"I don't blame Washington State. I blame the politicians in charge,” Knezovich said.
The sheriff has always said politicians have not paid close enough attention to mental health issues, including security for psychiatric patients like Garver.
"Those issues are created by the politicians who don't give them the tools to do the job,” Knezovich said.
It is for that reason why the Sheriff said local taxpayers should not pay a penny for the manhunt.
$12,000 in overtime costs were quickly racked up and soon, the Sheriff send a bill directly to the governor's office.
"It's not in the budget and overtime is critical,” Knezovich said.
The governor followed through with that request.
After three months, a reimbursement check arrived in Spokane County Tuesday morning.
Sheriff Knezovich said it is a win for the taxpayer.
"That's the message, you need to help us. You need to get this thing figured out,” Knezovich said.
This is not the first time the Sheriff has received a check from the state.
Back in 2009, Sheriff Knezovich also billed the state for Phillip Paul's escape.
He was repaid nearly $37,000 in overtime costs.