Judge DIES In Act Of Heroism!

Former Gubernatorial Candidate Dies a Hero Saving His Wife

There is an average of 358,000 house fires in the US every year, and more than 2,600 people lose their lives in blazes. Sadly, the list now includes a former member of the judiciary.

On Thursday, October 20, a fire killed former Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge Tom Emberton. Edmonton Mayor Doug Smith told WBKO 13 News the retired judge “heroically rescued his wife” from their home but reentered the house to try to save it and died in the process.

Emberton had a very long career as a public official. In 1971, he campaigned to become governor of the state. He didn’t win his race, but Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the Senate Minority Leader, served on the campaign. The New York Post reported the senator released a statement remembering the judge, who provided him with some of his “earliest experiences in the rough and tumble reality of political campaigning.” The lawmaker added he learned “valuable lessons” from the judge regarding “public service.”

In 1987, Kentucky Governor Wallace Wilkinson appointed Emberton to the state Court of Appeals. He held the appointment until his retirement in 2004, but later served as chief justice of the court.

Emberton leaves behind the wife he saved, Julia. The couple shared two kids and five grandchildren after 65 years of marriage.