A Life of Passion and Purpose: Remembering Judge Kevin R. Mullins

Judge Kevin R. Mullins was more than just a dedicated public servant - he was a champion for change. His unwavering commitment to fighting the opioid epidemic and advocating for treatment over incarceration earned him the respect and admiration of his peers and the community. On Sunday, hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects to the late judge, who was fatally shot by a sheriff in his chambers last week. As a pioneer in the field of opioid treatment, Mullins worked tirelessly to create a more just and compassionate system. He believed that everyone deserved a second chance, and his innovative approach to justice saw him sending low-level drug offenders to rehab rather than jail. His efforts didn't go unnoticed, and his protocol for linking people to treatment services early on gained statewide recognition. But Judge Mullins was more than just a statistic or a headline. He was a person with a passion for life, a love of food, and a quick wit. His friends and colleagues remembered him as a kind and compassionate leader who always put the needs of others first. As one judge recalled, Mullins was a "leader in every sense of the word" who "worked tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of those around him. "