Senate Resolution 5

A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE SENATE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY OF RETIRED THIRD DISTRICT CIRCUIT JUDGE HENRY LACKEY FROM CALHOUN CITY, MISSISSIPPI, AND RECOGNIZING HIS PROFESSIONAL LEGACY.

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of retired Third District Circuit Judge Henry Lackey (83) of Calhoun City, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Judge Lackey served for 17 years as Circuit Judge of the Third Judicial District. He served on the Judicial Disciplinary Commission on Judicial Performance for six years, and was Chairman at the time he retired in December 2010; and

WHEREAS, he left his mark on the judiciary with an unwavering commitment to judicial integrity. Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller, Jr., said, "He was one of the most outstanding Jurists in the history of the state. His courageous acts in an investigation were done without regard to his health and safety, for the preservation of the integrity of the judiciary. He was one of my heroes"; and

WHEREAS, Governor Kirk Fordice appointed Judge Lackey to the Third Circuit District of Benton, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Lafayette, Marshall, Tippah and Union Counties in 1993. He was elected four times without opposition. Judge Lackey continued his judicial service after he retired from the Circuit Court bench. Six days after his last term ended, he signed up as a Senior Status Judge. For seven more years, he heard cases around the state by appointment of the Supreme Court, taking over for judges who stepped aside due to conflicts. He handled 45 cases as a Senior Status Judge; and

WHEREAS, Judge Henry Lackey grew up in Calhoun City, and graduated from Calhoun City High School in 1952. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Mississippi College in 1956. He paid a large portion of his tuition by working part-time for Deposit Guaranty National Bank while he was a student, and from his childhood savings. When he was in elementary and high school, he ran his popcorn popper at his father's Ben Franklin Five and Ten-Cent Store in Calhoun City. After earning his undergraduate degree, he went home to run the family business after his father passed away. Henry enrolled in law school immediately after he left the Army in 1962, and graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1966. He was soon elected Calhoun County Prosecuting Attorney, where he served a four-year term; and

WHEREAS, Judge Lackey accepted an appointment for a year as the state's first Public Defender. Judge Soggy Sweat oversaw the pilot program at the University of Mississippi School of Law. Lackey and three senior law students represented indigent defendants in the seven counties of the Third Circuit District. The pilot program helped lay the groundwork for the Legislature to give counties authority to designate funds for public defenders; and

WHEREAS, he returned to private law practice in Calhoun City and served as Board Attorney for the Calhoun County Board of Supervisors for eight years. He was a solo practitioner for 26 years, representing every kind of case that came through his door; and

WHEREAS, Judge Lackey was a member of The Mississippi Bar for 52 years, having been admitted to the practice of law on August 21, 1966. He was a former President of the Calhoun County Bar Association and The Third Circuit Bar Association. He was a Fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation, and was the recipient of numerous honors and awards. He was the 2008 recipient of the Supreme Court's Chief Justice Award, and in 2009 he was honored by Mississippi College as Alumnus of the Year. Judge Lackey previously served on the Board of Trustees of Mississippi College; and

WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife of 60 years, retired Music Teacher Helen Rose James Lackey of Calhoun City, and son, Kevin Lackey of Ridgeland, Director of the Administrative Office of Courts; and

WHEREAS, Judge Lackey served as leader and mentor. He consistently lectured on professional standards of the practice, including ethics, integrity, civility, courtesy and adherence to the Golden Rule. Judge Lackey's life honored both The Mississippi Bar and this great state that he loved and he will be missed:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the condolences of the Senate to the bereaved family of retired Third District Circuit Judge Henry Lackey from Calhoun City, Mississippi, and recognize his professional legacy.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Judge Henry Lackey, forwarded to The Mississippi Bar, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.