‘He saved my life’ | Jefferson County community praises judge killed in pedestrian crash

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - People all over Jefferson County are remembering and honoring Fourth Judicial District Court Judge O. Duane Slone after he was killed in a pedestrian crash over the weekend.

One woman who went through the legal process in Slone’s courtroom credits him with saving her life.

Previous Coverage: Judge killed after being struck by car in Jefferson County, Tennessee Highway Patrol says

In another life, Angie Priddy struggled with addiction. She’s in a much different space now, though.

“I was an addict, and I was doing things,” Priddy said. “I wasn’t the greatest member of society, and I was out here doing things I shouldn’t be doing.”

That was almost a decade ago. Now, she’s nine years sober.

“I think he really cared about helping addicts, and he was a great judge,” Priddy said. “He believed in second chances.”

Priddy served two years in jail after visiting Slone’s courtroom. She credits that experience and Slone himself for helping her get clean and reclaim her life.

“I actually wrote him a letter telling him ‘thank you.’ I know it sucks going to jail, but it was the best thing for me at the time,” she said. “I just always felt like that saved my life because to do this day I am sober and I’m doing great.”

Priddy isn’t the only person remembering Slone in a warm light, though. He made an impact with those he worked with as well.

“He was an amazing mentor to me,” Rev. Debra Schultz said. She’s played a role in groups like Rescue 180, Jefferson County’s substance abuse coalition.

“He decided that he was going to go further to help and change those very criminals,” she said of the judge. “As he’d say, to God be the Glory.”

It’s a common sentiment, shared by many who knew Slone. One of his fellow judges, Carter Moore, was also mentored by the late judge.

“He’s a friend and mentor of mine,” Moore said. “There will soon begin a process for a replacement of Judge Slone, which is extremely hard to do because he was such a monumental man.”

Looking forward, the fourth district has a rough plan for covering Slone’s workload. However, it’s clear from those who were close to him that those will be big shoes to fill.