Supervisor Benoit’s office speaks on his passing

Reaction and condolences poured in Tuesday afternoon as people learned about the death of Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit. Benoit was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in mid-November and died at home Monday night.

“Supervisor Benoit was an amazing man of energy,” his chief of staff, Michelle DeArmond, told KESQ News Channel 3’s and CBS Local 2’s Katie Widner. “This was a guy who as soon as he saw a problem, he looked for ways to solve it.”

DeArmond said Benoit found success in all aspects of his career, including rising through the ranks to Commander of the California Highway Patrol’s Indio station where he created a permanent CHP Air Operations Base in the Valley.

“He was well liked, well-respected by the people who worked for him,” said CHP Officer Mike Radford.

In the state legislature, he helped to pass Ariana’s Law, which is designed to help families who have children in daycare. At the county level, he closed the Duroville mobile home park, helped to relocate the affected families and also created a solar policy.

“He just really loved this place and became a part of the fabric of the Coachella Valley,” DeArmond added.

As county supervisor, Benoit represented the eastern two-thirds of the county, including the Coachella Valley. He took the seat for the late Roy Wilson at the end of 2009.

“These are his roots, you know? When you believe in the community you live in and you’re in public service, you do everything you can for the people in that community,” said mayor of Indian Wells Richard Balocco. “He did that.”

Benoit went to high school and college in the Riverside and San Bernardino areas. He spent 31 years in law enforcement before entering politics. After retiring as commander of the California Highway Patrol’s Indio station, voters elected Benoit to the Desert Sands Unified School Board.

“His legacy is going to be helping people in need, especially in the east Valley and in non-profits,” said Indio City Council member Genn Miller.

Miller had known Benoit for years and said he cared deeply about the residents of the Valley.

“One of the reasons he loved the community so much, is not only because he got to know them as the CHP Commander, but it was working with the assembly, working with the school district and then working as a supervisor to give back to those in need,” said Miller.

Benoit’s term on the board of supervisors expires at the end of 2018. Gov. Jerry Brown will appoint his successor.

Benoit would have turned 65 on Tuesday. He is survived by his wife Sheryl, two children and two grandchildren.