Salinas Mayor Joe Gunter
We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Mayor Joe Gunter. Mayor Gunter was a strong and active leader of our community and he will be greatly missed.
Gunter was first elected as Mayor in 2012. Previously, he spent decades working at the Salinas Police Department. According to the city's website, he joined the department in 1969 and retired in 2002.
Gunter was actively involved as a leader or volunteer in several community organizations.
“He did what he did, he served his community, because he loves Salinas. And that was apparent in anything he did. He was a steady hand. He was a steady voice in the city. And for that he gained the respect of so many. Look at the progress he has made in the city since then,” fellow veteran and close friend Tony Virrueta tells KION.
Virrueta says Gunter was always available for advice when organizing the Monterey County Veterans Day Parade.