TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A retired Franklin County magistrate judge has received a state award, it was announced Friday morning.

The Kansas District Magistrate Judges Association presented its annual Lee Nusser Award for Outstanding Magistrate Judge to Kevin Kimball of Franklin County during a recent state conference for judges.

Kimball is a retired judge who served in the Fourth Judicial District, which is made up of Anderson, Coffey, Franklin and Osage counties.

The award is named for Judge Lee Nusser, who served as district judge in Stafford County from 1976 to 1999. Nusser died in 2003.

“I am excited, but very overwhelmed and honored to receive this award,” Kimball said in a news release. “I have met many outstanding judges in the state and have learned a lot from each of them. Without their advice and contributions, I would never have been able to achieve this recognition.”

Prior to joining the court, Kimball served 25 years with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and retired as undersheriff in 2005 to accept his judicial appointment.

During his tenure, Kimball started truancy court in Franklin County and later replicated it in his district’s other courtrooms before retiring on March 1.

He served on the Supreme Court Task Force on Permanency Planning, which advises the court on ways to improve the care of children under the court’s jurisdiction, and on the District Magistrate Judge Certification Committee.

District Judge Jenifer Ashford, 10th Judicial District, presented the award to Kimball.

“I personally thank Judge Kimball for his service to the people of Kansas, especially the children and families who benefited from his patient, level-headed, respectful, open-minded and consistent presence in their lives as a judge,” he said. “I also appreciate your service to the other judges by developing practices that make us better and for teaching us and leading by example.”

Ashford shared an anecdote told to him by Kimball’s son Alex, who said the traits that made his father a great father, congressman and judge were “patience, calm demeanor, respect for others, keeping an open mind and consistency.” .

While working for the sheriff’s department, Kimball was called on a Saturday to help apprehend a suspect. The man had fled to the middle of a lake and was surrounded by several agents with weapons drawn. Knowing he was in a desperate situation, the man told officers he would only turn himself in to Kimball.

It turns out that the man had been arrested by Kimball more than once between his adolescence and adulthood. The man knew that the only way to ensure that the situation would not get worse was to turn to someone he trusted: Kimball.

“Alex said his father walked to the water’s edge and spoke to the terrified man,” Ashford said. “A few minutes later, the man emerged from the lake and headed toward Kimball. Once on solid ground, he turned around and allowed Kimball to stop him.”

Attorneys who practiced in Kimball’s courtroom also attest to the judge’s calm presence.

“All of the litigants who appeared before Judge Kimball would say they were treated fairly, kindly and respectfully,” said Blaine Finch, the judge’s district attorney. “Half of the people who left the courtroom were unhappy with the outcome, but no one ever left the courtroom without feeling they had been treated with dignity.”

Kim Robinson, another attorney who practiced in front of Kimball, said Kimball especially cared about the children in his courtroom.

“Helping children in cases of children who needed care was his passion,” he said, adding that it extended to his truancy court program. “Some of their proudest moments were when the children graduated from the program and received a certificate and gift card. Judge Kimball was giving a nice speech about how proud he was of them and praising all the progress they made.”

Judge Taylor Wine, chief judge of the Fourth Judicial District, said Kimball’s consistency and demeanor were his best qualities behind the bench.

“The lawyers knew what to expect,” Wine said. “He calmed many litigants, and in the twelve years and hundreds of conversations I have had with him, I have never heard him get angry or raise his voice, something all of us in this profession can admire. “

Kimball is quick to return praise to his colleagues.

“The Kansas judiciary,” he said, “is in excellent shape for the future with so many outstanding judges, clerks, attorneys and court officials.”

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