Friends Remember Former Prosecutor HearnRichard “Steve” Hearn, former Kosciusko County prosecuting attorney, died Sunday evening at his Leesburg home surrounded by his family. He was 83.
Hearn served two terms as the county prosecutor in the 1970s and 1990 to 2000s. He also served as an attorney for Reed & Hearn Law Office in Syracuse until 1973 and practiced civil law with the firm Rasor, Harris, Lemon & Reed in Warsaw.
Former Kosciusko County GOP Chair Jean Northenor said she worked with Hearn in the political arena for many years.
“He was one of the good guys,” Northenor said. “He truly was a good guy and ever respected. You could always count on him.”
Northenor reflected on a small metal elephant Hearn gave her for her collection that has the elephant wearing boxing gloves.
“Steve gave this to me many years ago saying, ‘You know, this just reminds me of you, Jean. You’re always taking on some kind of a big deal that needs somebody to handle it,’ and I’m standing here with it in my hand right now,” she said. “I have wonderful memories of working with Steve on many different issues and programs. It’s certainly a community loss, no question.”
Mike Miner, who also was the county prosecutor in between Hearn’s terms, credited Hearn with teaching him the ropes.
“We spent several hours (together), and he really was very gracious and very good about telling me things to be aware of and little tricks and things for being a good prosecutor,” Miner said. “Steve was an excellent prosecutor. Steve was a very nice person, but I mean, he was down to business. Steve had a dry sense of humor and if you knew your stuff, if you were a good attorney, you really enjoyed working with Steve because he understood how to do a very professional job. He was a lawyer’s lawyer. He was good at that. I’m sure gonna miss him, and I’m sure other people will as well.”
Randy Girod, a former county prosecutor, called Hearn a very professional and hardworking guy.
“He was well regarded as a widely respected attorney,” Girod said. “He was a good guy, and I will miss him.”
Current Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton said it is with a saddened heart as he commented on the passing of his friend.
“Kosciusko County has been the home of the Hearn family for generations. While growing up in Warsaw, I remember hearing of Steve’s legal abilities as early as the 1970s,” Hampton said.
Hampton said he first met Hearn when he was interviewed by him and Hearn’s law partners just prior to Hampton’s 1987 law school graduation.
“But it was not until 2003 that I would have the privilege of practicing law with Steve as his chief deputy in the prosecutor’s office. Nevertheless, as a deputy prosecutor ... from 1988 to 1994, I learned first-hand of Steve Hearn’s capabilities in the criminal courts. Due to his desirable acumen as a civil attorney, Steve didn’t take too many cases as a criminal defense attorney; but on those occasions that he undertook the legal responsibilities of representing a client in criminal court, his representation was always epic. Any client of Steve Hearn had to be impressed with his intelligence, his competitiveness and his compassion for his client’s cause.”
In 2003, Hearn would go on to serve two more terms as prosecutor, with Hampton working as his chief deputy. In 2010, Hampton was elected prosecutor and Hearn became his chief deputy until 2014.
“During those 12 years, working shoulder to shoulder with Steve, I learned not only about Steve’s passion for the law but also about Steve’s dedication and commitment to his family and his community. I will always cherish the opportunity I was given by Steve to grow personally and professionally, and the faith he displayed in me, as he passed the torch to me in 2010 ...,” Hampton said. “Steve Hearn will always be remembered by his peers as a legend. He truly was a reputable lawyer of the highest caliber in professionalism, legal experience and competitiveness. I will always remember Steve’s devotion to his family, his dedication to the craft and his talent for sharing stories of his remarkable life experiences. Our community has truly lost a pillar, and I have lost my friend.”
Hearn leaves behind his wife, Delores, and their three children. A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. To read the complete obituary and service times, see page 3A of today’s paper.
