Dupont remembered for his wit and professionalism

Jim Dupont wasn’t just a popular sheriff — he was a great sheriff. That’s how many people remember Dupont, Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry told a crowd of more than 700 at the Christian Center in Kalispell on March 24 who gathered to remember his life.

Dupont, who was county commissioner when he died of a heart attack March 19 at his West Glacier home, served as Flathead County sheriff for 16 years.

He was 65.

Curry, who was undersheriff with Dupont, recalled Dupont’s professionalism, common sense and, most of all, his humor.

“He said, ‘Chuck, remember, we’re not law enforcement officers, we’re peace officers,’” Curry recalled.

Dupont loved people but hated snakes, Curry said with a smile.

“I once watched a rubber snake make him scream like a little girl,” Curry said.

Dupont wasn’t always politically correct, and he spoke his mind — some things he said over the years Curry thought for sure would end with the department in a federal lawsuit.

“You can’t say that,” Curry said he told Dupont.

“The hell I can’t,” Dupont would reply.

Dupont was a practical joker. A pilot, Curry and Dupont were once on a flight together in a small plane when Curry fell asleep with Dupont manning the controls. When Curry awoke, the plane was deathly silent. Curry braced his arms on the dash.

“What are you grabbing the dash for, the whole plane’s going to crash,” Dupont said with a smile. Dupont had shut the engine off on purpose.

“He lived each day to the fullest,” Curry said.

Former Kalispell Police Chief Frank Garner also had fond memories of Dupont. He recalled waiting tables in a restaurant when Dupont was a deputy. Dupont encouraged Garner to go into law enforcement.

They’d have long talks, and then Dupont would look at Garner and say, “Now shut up and go get me some coffee.”

Years later, when Garner was chief of police in Kalispell and Dupont was sheriff, the two were working on an important case together and had spent hours in a meeting.

When the meeting was almost over, Dupont looked at Garner and said, “Now shut up and get me some coffee.”

Dupont had a tender side as well. A woman recalled that after she and her family were injured in an explosion, Dupont came to the hospital to visit her and put cream on her face where there were burns.

She said the kind gesture helped get her through the rough time.

Hungry Horse News columnist and longtime newsman G. George Ostrom also recalled Dupont’s wit. Once, in his morning meeting with reporters, Dupont recounted the story about a dog that roamed Kalispell killing chickens. A young TV reporter asked Dupont how he knew he had the right dog.

“It had fowl breath,” Dupont said.

Of all the sheriffs Ostrom said he’s worked with over his career, “Jim was the best.”

“He was given every gift in this world,” Curry said. “Except longevity.”