(CENTREVILLE) - A long time member of the St. Joseph County Courts has been presented with a special recognition.
Thursday morning, the St. Joseph County Bar Association presented St Joseph County 3B District Court Administrator and Magistrate Tabitha Wedge with the 41st annual Liberty Bell Award. The presentation took place in the Historic Courtroom of the Historic Courthouse in Centreville.
Bar Association President Ross Truckey shared that Wedge has served the St. Joseph Countyv Courts nearly forty years. She began her tenure while a Senior at Centreville High School. Her service began with the 3B District Court in September of 1987, and since then she has served in a number of capacities in the District Court until she was appointed as Court Administrator and Magistrate in July of 2006.
During her time in the District Court, Wedge has worked with all four District Court Judges: William L. McManus, William D. Welty, Robert K. Pattison and Jeffrey C. Middleton.
Wedge shared that it has been an honor to be a member of the District Court family and serving the citizens of St. Joseph County.
The Liberty Bell Award was created by the Bar Association on May 1, 1985. It is presented annually on Law Day to a non-lawyer, individual, or organization within the St. Joseph County community who has made an outstanding contribution to the community in one of the following areas:
Promoting a better understanding of our Constitution and Bill of Rights; Encouraging a greater respect for the law and the Courts; Stimulating a deeper sense of individual responsibility so that citizens recognize their duties as well as their rights; Contributing to the effective functioning of our private and governmental institutions; and Fostering a better understanding and appreciation for the rule of law.