County Mourns the Passing of Judge Duane Slone

Sevier County mourns the loss of Judge Duane Slone, who tragically passed away on Sunday, August 25.

Judge Slone served as a Circuit Court Judge for the Fourth Judicial District, which covers Sevier, Cocke, Jefferson, and Grainger Counties, since he was first elected in 1998.

In 2009, Judge Slone co-founded the Fourth Judicial District’s Drug Recovery Court. The mission of the Fourth Judicial District Drug Recovery Court is to fully utilize the authority of the Court and the synergy of a multi-disciplinary team to provide the greatest opportunity for recovery from addiction of local chemically-dependant, non-violent offenders through effective treatment and supervision, thereby increasing public safety, reducing crime and its costs, and restoring individuals to their families, workplaces, and communities.

Among the numerous awards and recognitions he received, in 2019, Judge Slone was honored with the National Center for State Courts’ (NCSC) William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence, one of the highest judicial honors in the country.

“I’m deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Judge Slone,” said Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters. “He was a dedicated public servant who spent his life in the relentless pursuit of helping others. He will be missed tremendously. My condolences and prayers are with Judge Slone’s family and loved ones during this tough time.”

The 1896 bell atop the Historic Sevier County Courthouse will ring a solemn toll for five minutes beginning at 1:00 PM on Monday, August 26.