District Judge Kevin R. Mullins of Kentucky, who was fatally shot by Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines, was remembered as a pioneer in fighting opioid addiction and advocating for treatment over jail time for low-level drug offenders. At his funeral, hundreds of mourners, including fellow judges, paid their respects to Mullins, highlighting his passion for helping people and his role in revolutionizing the court’s approach to mental health and addiction. Family members did not speak at the funeral, but his mother, Patsy Holbrook Mullins, expressed gratitude for the community’s support and dedication to continuing Mullins’ mission to combat the opioid epidemic.
With a career spanning 14 years as a District Court judge, Mullins was known for his rehabilitative approach towards offenders, aiming to connect them with treatment services early on in their involvement with the justice system. His efforts in this area earned him statewide recognition, with his innovative protocol being adopted across Kentucky. Fellow judges and colleagues praised Mullins for his tireless dedication, leadership, and ability to see the good in people even when they couldn’t see it in themselves.
Mullins was remembered as an innovator and a friend who valued simplicity, as seen in a story from a trip to New York City where he canceled reservations at fancy restaurants to try a cheeseburger. Survived by his wife, daughters, mother, sister, and extended family, Mullins leaves behind a legacy of compassion and change in the criminal justice system.
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