About Supervisor Rich Desmond
Rich is a lifelong and fifth-generation Sacramento County resident. He joined the California Highway Patrol in 1995 and, after several years as a patrol officer, rose up the ranks to serve as commander of CHP field operations in eastern Sacramento County and oversee the CHP's legislative affairs. While in this position, he participated in developing and managing the CHP's budget. He also worked on legislation affecting several areas of public policy, including traffic and public safety, transparency, and law enforcement use of force. In 2018, he was promoted to CHP Chief and temporarily assigned to the State Assembly as the Chief Sergeant-at-Arms. Rich officially retired from the CHP in 2019 after a 24-year career in public service.
In 2020, Rich was elected to the 3rd District on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. As a former CHP officer, attorney, volunteer, and parent, Rich serves on the Board of Supervisors to give back to his community. While on the Board, Rich has focused on solving homelessness, promoting economic development, investing in infrastructure, and improving the municipal services provided to Sacramento County residents in District 3.
In 2023, Rich served as Chair of both the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and Sacramento Transportation Authority. Additionally, he is a member of the Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission, California State Association of Counties Executive Committee and Administration of Justice Committee, Sacramento Homeless Policy Council, National Association of Counties Housing Task Force, Sacramento Area Council of Governments, and over a dozen other boards, commissions, and organizations.
Rich graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1992 and received his Juris Doctor from McGeorge School of Law in 2000 before passing the California Bar Exam later that year. He and his wife, Lisa, have five children ranging in age from 16 to 24.
