Irvin Benitez has been a Rockford police officer since 2016.

On December 30th, 2018, Irvin Benitez, along with Brandon Wells and Jason Lawler, responded to a welfare check reporting that a black man was moving his furniture to the street.

Officers noted Kerry Blake's diminished mental capacity but did not provide him any services or offer any help.

Hours later, Kerry Blake allegedly took a neighbor's vehicle that was the same make, model, and color as a close relative of Kerry's.

Unbeknownst to Kerry, there were children in the backseat. When he realized, Kerry stopped the car and let the children out. He drove less than a block in the car. Once they were out, Kerry immediately returned home.

RPD officers engaged in a hours-long standoff. They knew about both earlier incidents as well as multiple past incidents involving Kerry and his struggling mental health.

The standoff ended when SWAT officers snuck in through the back door and shot and killed Kerry Blake.

After making this directory an incident involving Rockford officer Kimberly Friedrich and Irvin Benitez was brought to light.

The two officers responded to a 911 call regarding a neighbor dispute. Friedrich escalated the scene, tased a man repeatedly and shouted she could do whatever the fuck she wants. After securing the man she tased at least four times in custody, she and Benitez turned their attention to a man that was recording the incident. The two cops took the man to the ground and Benitez took the cellphone that was being used.

In 2019, Benitez made $65,940 in salary + $9,937 in overtime = $75,877 + $16,640 in health insurance + $30,497 in pension pay.

In 2020, they made $73,097 in salary + $9,748 in overtime = $82,845 + $16,640 in health insurance + $33,025 in pension pay.

In 2021, they made $85,397 in salary + $7,664 in overtime = $93,061 + $16,120 in health insurance + $34,932 in pension pay.

In 2022, they made $84,757 in salary + $10,032 in overtime = $94,789 + $16,640 in health insurance + $39,700 in pension pay.

In 2023, they made $81,995 in salary + $12,823 in overtime = $94,818 + $16,640 in health insurance + $46,059 in pension pay.

In 2024, they made $85,337 in salary + $12,965 in overtime = $98,302 + $16,952 in health insurance + $52,059 in pension pay.

If you or anyone you know has been abused, harassed, or otherwise mistreated by this officer please email us with the officers name in the subject.