Silence enveloped the commissioners’ chambers at the Flathead County Courthouse at 9:20 Monday morning when Sheriff Chuck Curry delivered the news that Commissioner Jim Dupont had died of a heart attack.

Curry spoke quietly and briefly with Commissioners Dale Lauman and Pam Holmquist and quickly exited the room. 

In tears, Holmquist left the chambers to go to her office for a few moments. Almost immediately, several county employees and elected officials walked into the chambers, some in tears, others wearing shocked expressions. 

Hugs were plentiful as people shared disbelief and then memories of Dupont.

Holmquist, Lauman and employees in the commissioners’ office knew Dupont had suffered a heart attack earlier Monday morning because Dupont’s wife had called Lauman around 7:30 a.m. with the news. 

The two commissioners, however, didn’t realize how serious the incident was.

They and county employees said they had expected a quick recovery by the former longtime sheriff.

Lauman said Susan Dupont told him the commissioner had just finished his morning exercise routine and was getting a cup of coffee he collapsed.

“We lost a very concerned and dedicated citizen and commissioner,” Lauman said shortly after receiving word of Dupont’s death. “I will greatly miss his experience and expertise on this commission.

“I knew his dedication as sheriff and it was a pleasure when he came on board as a commissioner,” Lauman said. “I relied on Jim’s experience and expertise quite often.”

Dupont “contributed tremendously” to the commission, Lauman said. 

“I’m kind of in denial now,” Holmquist said. Working with Dupont a little more than a year on the commission “was wonderful,” she said. 

Holmquist and Dupont had side-by-side offices in the courthouse, while the third commissioner’s office, now used by Lauman, is across the building. 

“We were always kidding around about our offices,” said Holmquist, who has the genuine corner office. Dupont’s sense of humor, smile and good-natured kidding around will be missed, she said. 

“Flathead County was so lucky to have him as their sheriff and commissioner,” she said. “He was a great asset to the commission and the county. It was an honor to serve with him. I’m going to miss him.”

Dupont’s death leaves a hole in Flathead County, Holmquist said.

Jed Fisher, county weed, parks and maintenance supervisor, said there was “no more popular or respected man in Flathead County. No way.”

News of Dupont’s death created “an emptiness” in the courthouse and the Flathead County Justice Center, Fisher said. 

“For 23 years I worked with Jim Dupont,” Fisher said. “He was here for every bit of it.”  

County Administrator Mike Pence said he had known Dupont far fewer years than many county employees, but in the seven years they worked together, Pence enjoyed Dupont’s personality and leadership. 

“It was an honor and a privilege to work with Jim. He brought so much to the county,” Pence said. 

County Attorney Ed Corrigan worked with Dupont for more than 20 years, when Dupont was the sheriff and then commissioner.

“He was an outstanding sheriff and commissioner,” Corrigan said. “He always had the county and its citizens first in mind. He was a good guy and will be missed.”

Holmquist was just one of several people interviewed Monday who referred to Dupont’s straightforward style. “He was direct, in a good way,” she said.

Fisher echoed that assessment.

“He was respected by all because he was so straightforward,” Fisher said. “There was no b.s. Whether you were a co-worker or someone he’d arrested, he was straight with you.”

County Clerk Paula Robinson agreed that Dupont “never beat around the bush. He was straightforward and always looked into things if I asked him to.”

County employees appreciated Dupont for frequently checking in, stopping by offices to see how things were going, Robinson said. 

Nearly everyone also mentioned Dupont’s sense of humor.

“He was always cheerful, never down in the dumps,” commissioners’ Clerk Diana Kile said. “When things were down, he’d crack a joke and cheer you up. He had a positive personality.”

Pence made a similar comment.

“The cool thing about Jim was he was so much fun to work with,” Pence said. 

County Finance Director Sandy Carlson said she had a lot of respect for Dupont. Carlson is often tasked with breaking bad news to county employees about budget issues and often her information is challenged. 

But she said Dupont always was supportive of her work and backed her up when requiring more accountability for financial matters. 

“He had a lifetime of deflecting bullets,” Robinson said. “Whether they were armor-piercing or all the other kinds of bullets that come your way.”

In honor of Dupont, flags at all Flathead County buildings were lowered to half-staff Monday morning and Fisher said they would stay there for several days.

Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or sridenour@dailyinterlake.com.