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John Benoit Detention Center celebrates milestone

Published July 31, 2017 11:27 PM

The John Benoit Detention Center is celebrated a milestone in its construction with a topping off ceremony Monday morning.

A beam signed by Benoit’s family and local leaders is lifted to be placed as part of the new jail construction in #Indio. pic.twitter.com/dNUnlIgRb5

— Jeremy Chen (@JeremyChenKESQ) July 31, 2017

The topping ceremony commemorated the highest point of construction on the new center. At the end of the ceremony, a white steel beam, signed by project staff and dignitaries, was hoisted to the top to forever be a part of the building. There were also moments honoring former supervisor Benoit, who lost a battle with cancer back in December.

Dignitaries included local leaders such as District 4 Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and Congressman Raul Ruiz among others. The family of the late John Benoit was also present where his wife Sheryl, shared a few emotional words about the legacy of her husband.

Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff praised the construction of the building and felt it would improve medical and mental health services at the jail. There would also be educational programs to help rehabilitate inmates in order to make them productive members of society upon release.