Erik Knutzen assumed the role of Chief Deputy for the Utah County Sheriff’s Office Eagle Mountain division in February 2025, according to a January 16, 2025, announcement from the city. Knutzen, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a Gulf War veteran, succeeded Chief Deputy Eric McDowell, whose retirement was effective on February 1, 2025. The transition occurred as the city continues to experience significant growth.
Knutzen’s professional history includes a career that began in 1993 with the Provo City Police Department. In 2006, he joined the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, where he served in various capacities prior to his appointment as Chief Deputy. Most recently, before his February 2025 start date in the new role, Knutzen served as a Lieutenant over the Emergency Services Bureau. In that capacity, he oversaw the Sheriff’s Office Volunteer Teams, which include the Tactical Emergency Response Team (TERT), the Air Bureau, the Mounted Posse, and Search & Rescue. His previous leadership experience also includes serving as an Investigations Bureau Lieutenant, a commander of the Utah County Officer Involved Critical Incident Team, and a director of the Utah Valley Special Victims Task Force. Additionally, Knutzen has extensive experience in SWAT operations, having served as a Team Leader during the 2002 Winter Olympics for the Provo/Orem/BYU Metro SWAT team and as a Commander of the Utah County Metro SWAT team.
Knutzen, who previously served as a Patrol Sergeant under Chief Deputy McDowell in 2008, noted that his return to Eagle Mountain provided an opportunity to serve the citizens of the city. He stated that his commitment is to provide high-quality police services to help maintain or improve the quality of life as the population grows.
As of May 1, 2026, the city is addressing public safety needs through a proposed property tax adjustment. According to a Truth In Taxation document dated May 1, 2026, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office Eagle Mountain Division requested the addition of one sergeant and six deputies to meet the needs of the growing city. The proposed property tax rate is intended to generate $9,798,139 in revenue, an amount the city states is the exact amount needed to cover the Sheriff’s Office contract dollar for dollar. According to the city's May 1, 2026, documentation, 100% of this revenue is dedicated to public safety.
Public hearings regarding these fiscal matters were scheduled for various dates in 2026, including an Interim Budget Public Hearing on June 16, 2026, a Truth-In-Taxation Public Hearing on August 6, 2026, and a Final Budget Public Hearing on August 18, 2026. Residents can participate in these meetings in person at City Hall or virtually via Zoom.
What this means for Eagle Mountain
For Eagle Mountain residents, the leadership of Chief Deputy Knutzen and the proposed 2026 tax adjustments are tied to the city's rapid growth. The city's goal is to ensure that public safety staffing, specifically through the addition of a sergeant and six deputies, keeps pace with the increasing demand for timely response and visible presence.
