Gerald Charles Benedict

     Gerald Charles Benedict, retired U.S. Treasury Department special agent, passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2024, in Sandpoint, Idaho.
     A Graveside Service will be held at Sowle Cemetery, St. Johns, Michigan, on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams presiding.
     Jerry was born on October 20, 1933, to Gerald and Margaret (Barrett) Benedict in St. Johns, MI, and lived in Clinton County until he graduated from high school in 1952. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Security Agency in November of that year and served primarily in the Washington D.C. area as a military police officer from 1953 until 1955. In 1966, Jerry received a direct commission to Lt. (jg) in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, specializing in port security. He left the Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander in 1982. Jerry was a member of the local Post of the American Legion.
     He married his high school classmate, Shirley Ann Clark, on April 23, 1955, at Mary’s Cathedral in Lansing, MI. Jerry graduate from Michigan State University in September 1959, with a degree in Police Administration. He served as a police officer in East Lansing during his senior year at MSU. On October 12, 1959, he was sworn in as an investigator with the Alcohol & Tobacco Tax Division in the IRS of the U.S. Treasury Department. In 1972, ATTD became a separate Bureau and retitled Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), and his title was changed to Special Agent. During the years 1959 to 1966, he was assigned to the ATF offices in Jeffersonville and Indianapolis, IN, Richmond, Emporia, and Norfolk, VA. In 1966, he was promoted to Bureau Headquarters in Washington D.C. In 1974, following a series of staff positions he was transferred to Detroit as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC). A year later he was promoted to Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Louisville, KY, District Office. He remained there until retirement on October 20, 1983. Following his retirement, the Benedict’s grew Christmas trees on their farm in Oldham County. He also served as a deputy sheriff in Oldham County until they “discovered” Bonner County on their first trip to the Great Northwest in the fall of 1988, and moved here in June 1989.
     During his 36 years in law enforcement (1953-1983), he was awarded the Treasury Department’s Albert Gallatin award for faithful services and was honored by the National Association of Treasury Agents for outstanding leadership. He also received a Certificate of Appreciation from the KY Peace Officers Association and special recognition from the National Association of Treasury Agents. He was a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police as well as The MI and KY Chiefs of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police. Jerry was a charter member and past president of the local Safety/Police Officers Retired to Sandpoint (SPORTS). In 2003, he published his autobiography, “I Had the Right to Remain Silent” in which he related his life experiences, including 36 years in law enforcement.
     He was a long-time member of the National Association of Federal Retirees and served as President of the Idaho Federation in 1993-1995. He was active in the Knights of Columbus, serving as the Grand Knight of the local Council and as the District Deputy in northern Idaho. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club in both KY and ID. In June 2006, Jerry was inducted into the greater Lansing, MI Sports Hall of Fame as a member of undefeated St. Johns football teams of 1949-1951. In September 2016, the teams’ members were inducted into the newly established St. Johns High School Hall of Fame.
     He is survived by five children: Allan L. (Kathleen) Benedict of Northville, MI; Susan M. (Jay Carroll) Benedict of White Salmon, WA; Jeffrey C. (Cathy) Benedict of Dunedin, FL; Elizabeth A. Benedict of Seattle, WA; and Robert C. (Cai) Benedict of Sandpoint, ID. Jerry leaves a granddaughter, Breanna M. Benedict of WA; and four grandsons: Allan M. (Kate) Benedict of NY; Ryan E. (Marissa) Benedict of CA; Jese C. Huttman of WA; David Hardesty and great-grandson David Hardesty, Jr., of KY. He also leaves several nephews and nieces, and a special friend Lynn Harpe. Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, 2016; brother, William, 2015; Mother, Margaret 1985; Father, Gerald, 1939; and sister-in-law, Joyce (Sievert) in 2017.
     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Better Together Animal Alliance, 870 Kootenai Cutoff Road, Ponderay, ID 83852, or Angels Over Sandpoint, P.O. Box 2369 Sandpoint, ID 83864. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan and Coffelt Funeral Services in Idaho.