CHADRON, Neb. -- A judge from the 12th Judicial District County Court will be retiring at the end of August. 

Russell W. Harford, of Chadron, will retire at the end of the day on August 31, 2022, after 13 years. 

Harford joined the bench in 2009 after being a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol.

In his letter of resignation to the Governor and Chief Justice, Harford wrote, “It has been both a privilege and pleasure to serve in this [judicial] capacity for the past 13 years. I was fortunate to have served with other dedicated judges and court staff in each of the counties in the 12th Judicial District and across the state...I started my work career in public service in Nebraska as a Nebraska State Patrol trooper in 1975 and am ending my public service career as a county court judge.”

Harford is a part of the initiative - Through the Eyes of the Child - as the lead judge for Team 12.1, where he organizes a multidisciplinary team of people who work with juveniles to improve court systems and processes for children.

In 2016, Harford was awarded the Distinguished Judge for Service to the Community Award; the highest honor given by the Chief Justice.

This award recognized Harford for his commitment to the community and leadership in attracting young lawyers to Western Nebraska.

In a press release, it was stated that he was congratulated for his interest in working with students at the high school and college levels, noting that he regularly opens his courtroom doors to students and encourages them to the legal system in person.

It was also mentioned that he mentors young lawyers, probation officers, and court staff in the legal process and courtroom procedure. Harford has made his courtroom a welcoming place to train for anyone who visits.

Harford served on the original Nebraska Supreme Court Committee on Self-Represented Litigation, where he was a part of developing the group’s first strategic plan.

He currently serves on the County Court Forms Committee, designing and approving forms to be used by county judges and court customers throughout the state.

After taking the bench in 2009, Harford has been kept in his judicial position by area voters, most recently in 2018.

The press release stated that the first step in replacing Harford will be for the Judicial Resources Commission to call a meeting to determine whether or not, based on judicial workload statistics, his retirement creates a judicial vacancy on the county court bench for the 12th Judicial District.