About Supervisor Rich Desmond
Rich Desmond, a fifth generation Sacramentan, was elected to represent District 3 on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors in November 2020.
Rich joined the California Highway Patrol in 1995 and spent several years as a patrol officer in Los Angeles and Sacramento before promoting up the ranks into a variety of field and administrative positions, including assignments in the CHP's Office of Internal Affairs and Office of Risk Management. In 2011, Rich became the Commander of CHP field operations in eastern Sacramento County. He took over the CHP's legislative affairs program in 2014. While in this position, he participated in the development of the CHP's budget and worked on legislation affecting several areas of public policy, including traffic and public safety, law enforcement transparency and accountability, and use of force. In 2018, Rich was promoted to CHP Chief and temporarily assigned to the State Assembly as its Chief Sergeant-at-Arms before retiring in late 2019. Rich is proud of his participation in the CHP's creation of an AMBER Alert system to locate abducted and missing children and the development of the CHP's Mental Illness Response Program that trains officers how to safely resolve encounters with people experiencing a mental health crisis.
As a lifelong resident of Carmichael, Rich has a long history of involvement in the community. In 2005, Rich participated in the development of the Carmichael Community Action Plan, resulting in a new vision for Carmichael. He also served multiple terms as a Commissioner on the Sacramento County Adult and Aging Commission and helped establish the Sacramento Senior Safehouse to protect seniors at risk of abuse and neglect. In 2018, Rich was appointed to serve as a member of the Carmichael/Old Foothill Farms Community Planning Advisory Council that provides feedback and community perspective on development proposals in District 3.
Rich graduated from Jesuit High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Santa Clara University. While working for the CHP, he went to McGeorge School of Law and graduated with a Juris Doctor in May 2000. As an attorney, he maintains a solo law practice and previously worked part-time as an associate at Desmond, Nolan, Livaich & Cunningham, a firm founded by Rich's grandfather in 1929.
Rich and his wife Lisa have five children ranging in age from 12 to 21. They are active members of our community, frequently spending time on the American River Parkway, at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, and in local parks. Their family volunteers at the annual American River Parkway cleanup and local Special Olympics events. Rich has spent many years coaching his kids but now spends most of his time as a spectator. He also spends time volunteering at the Sierra Arden Neighborhood Food Locker and has assisted at the Carmichael Homeless Assistance Resource Team's Winter Sanctuary program and the COVID-19 testing site in North Highlands.
