TOPEKA—The Kansas District Magistrate Judges Association presented its annual Lee Nusser Award for Outstanding Magistrate Judge to retired Judge Kevin Kimball of Franklin County during a recent statewide conference for judges.
Kimball served in the 4th Judicial District, which is composed of Anderson, Coffey, Franklin, and Osage counties. The award is named for Judge Lee Nusser, who served as a district magistrate judge in Stafford County from 1976 to 1999. He died in 2003.
“I am excited, but very overwhelmed and humbled, to receive this award,” he said. “I’ve met so many outstanding judges in the state and have learned so much from every one of them. Without their advice and input, I would have never been able to achieve this recognition.”
Before joining the bench, Kimball served 25 years with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, retiring as undersheriff in 2005 to accept his judicial appointment. During his tenure, Kimball started a truancy court in Franklin County and later replicated it in the other courtrooms in his district before he retired 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 who are under jurisdiction of the court, and on the District Magistrate Judge Certification Committee.
District Magistrate 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, even-tempered, respectful, open-minded, and consistent presence in their lives as their judge,” she said. “I also thank his service to fellow judges by developing practices that make us better and for teaching us and leading by example.”
Ashford shared an anecdote told to her by Kimball’s son Alex, who said the traits that made his dad a great father, deputy, and judge were, “patience, a calm demeanor, respect toward others, staying open-minded, and consistency.”
While working for the sheriff’s department, Kimball was called in on a Saturday to help apprehend a suspect. The man had fled to the middle of a lake and was surrounded by several officers with their guns drawn. Knowing he was in dire straits, the man told the officers he would surrender only to Kimball.
It turns out, the man had been arrested by Kimball more than once between his teens and adulthood. The man knew the only way he was assured the situation would not escalate was turning to someone he trusted: Kimball.
“Alex said his dad walked to the water’s edge and spoke with the terrified man,” Ashford said. “A few minutes later, the man made his way out of the lake and toward Kimball. Once on dry land, he turned around and allowed Kimball to take him into custody.”
Attorneys who practiced in Kimball’s courtroom also testify to the judge’s calm presence.
“Every litigant who appeared before Judge Kimball would tell you they were treated fairly, kindly, and with respect,” said Blaine Finch, an attorney in the judge’s district. “Half the people who left his courtroom were unhappy about the result, but no one ever left his 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 the kids in child in need of care cases was his passion,” she said, adding that it extended to his truancy court program. “Some of his proudest moments were when kids graduated from the program and received a certificate and gift card. Judge Kimball would give a kind speech about how proud he was of them and praise all the strides they made.”
Judge Taylor Wine, chief judge of the 4th Judicial District, said Kimball’s consistency and demeanor were his best qualities behind the bench.
“The attorneys knew what to expect,” Wine said. “He de-escalated many a litigant, and in the dozen years and hundreds of conversations I’ve had with him, never once have I heard him get upset or raise his voice, something all of us in this profession can look up to.”
Kimball is quick to return compliments to his colleagues.
“The Kansas judiciary is in excellent shape for the future with so many outstanding judges, clerks, attorneys, and court service officers,” he said.