‘Heartbroken.’ District court judge dies in storms that ravaged Western Kentucky

Brian Crick, a district judge for McLean and Muhlenberg counties, died Saturday in the tornadoes that devastated Western Kentucky, said Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice John Minton.

A colleague, Circuit Judge Brian W. Wiggins, who serves McLean and Muhlenberg counties, said Crick’s teenage son, 17, his daughter, 16 and his wife were treated at a hospital and were recovering from minor injuries. Another son, 11, was staying with a friend when the storm hit their home after midnight in Muhlenburg County, said Wiggins.

Mulhenberg County Coroner Larry Vincent said Crick lived at Bremen, Kentucky where a tornado struck.

“We are especially heartbroken to get the news,” Minton said in a statement. “This is a shocking loss to his family, his community and the court system and his family is in our prayers.

Crick, 43, took office in January 2011, said Administrative Office of the Courts spokeswoman Leigh Anne Hiatt.

Prior to taking office, Crick was an attorney in the state Department of Public Advocacy. He also had been in private practice, Wiggins said.

As a judge, Wiggins said, Crick “had a very common sense approach to his job.”

“He was very respectful of the folks that appeared before him in his courtroom,” said Wiggins. “Very down to earth. Very level headed.”

This story was originally published December 11, 2021 at 1:06 PM with the headline "‘Heartbroken.’ District court judge dies in storms that ravaged Western Kentucky."