by Liz Daube
Staff Writer
A crowd of family, fellow attorneys and public officials ranging from Sheriff John Rutherford to Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland attended new Circuit Court Judge Libby Senterfitt’s investiture last week.
The event was held Thursday afternoon in the old City Council chambers at City Hall Annex. Senterfitt was sworn in by Chief Judge Donald Moran after several presentations from local bar associations, judges, public officials and her husband, Chief Dwain Senterfitt of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
The presentations were a mixture of compliments, best wishes, anecdotes and jokes. Dwain’s remarks elicited laughter and a few tears throughout the room.
“People ask me what’s changed since Libby’s become judge,” he said. “Nothing, really. But at night before we go to bed, I have to say, ‘Your honor, may I approach?’ ... You have lost your name, Libby.”
Dwain recalled a similar experience when he became “Chief” years ago.
“But of all the things I’ve been called,” he said, “I’m most proud to be introduced as Libby’s husband.”