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Kevin Bennett

January 27, 1977 ~ July 23, 2013
July 23, 2013
Idaho State Police Sergeant Kevin Blaine Bennett, 36, of Sagle, passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at University Hospital in Seattle, his family and several fellow ISP Troopers at his side.

Memorial services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, at Real Life Ministries, 1866 N Cecil Road, Post Falls, Idaho with Pastor Chad Wilks of the Sandpoint Church of the Nazarene officiating.

Private family interment will take place in Pinecrest Memorial Park in Sandpoint.

Kevin was born January 27, 1977, in Toppenish, Washington, the son of Blaine and Mary Jane Bennett. He graduated from Richland High School in 1995 and from Boise State University with a degree in Criminal Justice Administration in 1999.

He joined the Idaho State Police and went through the academy in 2000. He was stationed in North Idaho and attained the rank of Sergeant in October of 2012. He was a drug enforcement instructor and served on the ISP SWAT team.

His professional career was only one aspect of his life.

As a young man he was involved with child evangelism and sharing Christ was a lifelong pursuit. He started Guardian Angel, a church security firm, and then shortly before receiving his diagnosis helped to establish The Lazarus Commission with the dream of forging strategic long term partnerships to serve and empower those among the least reached and neglected peoples of the world.

He was a long time stalwart at the Sandpoint Church of the Nazarene, served on the board of Sandpoint Christian School for nine years, and took mission trips to the Ukraine and to Haiti.

Kevin enjoyed fly fishing, water fowling, spending time outdoors, reading, cooking and baking. He was not afraid of trying anything new, whether building his home in Naples, or trying a new recipe for the family. He loved all kids and they flocked to him wherever he went.

Whatever he participated in he excelled at it. But the thing that surpassed them all was first, his love for Christ, but closely followed by his love for his beloved wife JoLynn, whom he married on August 15, 1998 in Richland, Washington, and for his family. He was a terrific beloved husband, father, brother, and uncle.

Kevin is survived by his wife JoLynn of Sagle; his children KelliJo, Blaine, and Koen all of Sagle; his parents: Blaine and Mary Jane Bennett of Meridian, Idaho; brother Ryan (Anavic) Bennett of Camas, Washington; his father and mother-in-law Robert and Cynthia Day-Phalen of Kennewick, Washington; brother and sister-in-law: Michael (Ronica) Bishop of West Richland, Washington; grandparents Pauline Bennett of Albany, Oregon, Roy and Sammie Day of Bonners Ferry; and six nieces and nephews: Micah, William, Michael, John, Judah, and Emily.

The family suggests memorials to the Lazarus Commission, 3719 Grandview, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864.

JoLynn would like you to share stories of Kevin that will be put into a booklet for his children at Kevin’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.

Kevin served Boundary County as resident trooper for ten years before his promotion to sergeant.

"He is one who is always trying to help others," said friend and fellow ISP Trooper Allen Ashby, who made the trip to Seattle with five other ISP personnel Monday evening to stand with Kevin and his family. "In the past, every penny he saved was spent on numerous mission trips to Haiti to help start schools and churches, and to bring others much needed medicines and medical supplies. He’s very giving, a devoted family man. We serve an awesome Lord.”

"Idaho has just lost a quiet, serene, giant of a man," said Bonners Ferry businessman and former mayor Darrell Kerby. "I have spent 28 years working in the eye of the local elected officials public storm and during that time many, many police professionals have come and gone through my office. Kevin Bennett was clearly a different type of law enforcement person from the day I met him. A genteel, moral soul with a true desire to serve his fellow man. Yes he was a law enforcement officer. That profession is valiant enough by its very nature to garner respect. Most of us are often labeled and pigeon holed by what we do for a living, however, if you had the opportunity to work with Kevin, his job, even though he was a consummate law man, just was not able to describe the heart this man had for his fellow man. Kevin will be missed for what he did as well as for what he would have done. Rest in peace, Sergeant ... a giant of a man."