Lafayette City Court Judge Jules Edwards III will be remembered as someone who was hardworking, passionate and, above all else, fair.
Tributes poured in Wednesday for Edwards, who died unexpectedly Tuesday at the age of 66. City Court was closed Wednesday. The Louisiana Supreme Court will appoint a judge to fill Edwards' seat until a special election can be held.
Edwards is remembered for always keeping his composure in the courtroom, never raising his voice to attorneys or defendants. He often appeared humble and approachable in the community where he served as an advocate, but his intelligence and preparedness were always apparent on the bench.
"The passing of Judge Edwards this past evening closes a chapter written by a remarkable person, whose life and career were dedicated to his family, his faith, his profession and most preciously his country and community," said City Court Judge Douglas Saloom in a statement. "His passing leaves us, his friends, staff and colleagues, with a challenge to carry forward those principles he so passionately shared with all he touched.
"It is upon our hands the responsibility to echo his booming voice, to not allow it to go silent, to find the strength to continue his heartfelt laugh, but most importantly to not allow his work to go unfinished.”
Lafayette attorney Candice Hattan, who represents the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board, has been friends with Edwards and his wife, Orida, for years. On Wednesday, she fondly remembered Edwards not only as a judge in the court room, but also as a judge at a downtown cooking competition.
Hattan was dressed up as a member of the Village People for the competition when Edwards approached to judge her shrimp dish. She couldn't help but feel self conscious because she had an upcoming trial before the then-district judge.
"There he was, trying to act like it was normal that I'm dressed up as an Indian with a full headdress singing 'Y.M.C.A.' doing a skit," Hattan said. "He just pulls it off. He never even laughed. He just sat there, and he took notes to judge the dish and, later on, he asked for the recipe."
She said Edwards would do just about anything for his community, especially for an event like that one to raise money for charity.
"If you wanted his help, he would give you his help," Hattan said. "He would never tell you, 'I've got a million things on my plate right now.' You'd never hear that from him. He always made time for things."
Fifteenth Judicial District Court Judge Thomas Duplantier, a longtime friend and colleague, said Edwards was truly all about helping others.
"Those who came in his court with substance abuse issues, some who struggled paying their fines, Jules found ways to help them through means of community service when they couldn't afford to pay because that was just the amazing person he was," Duplantier said.
Duplantier said he was in shock and devastated after hearing the news because Edwards was "full of energy."
"It's cliché to say he'll be missed," Duplantier said. "But he'll be missed for many reasons, not just to his family or me, but to all the many people he's helped along the years."
District Attorney Don Landry said he can't remember exactly when he began working with Edwards — just that it was "many, many years ago." Landry, then an assistant district attorney, remembers working in Edwards' track when he was a judge for the 15th Judicial District Court.
"We tried either two or three cases in one week," Landry said. "He was always willing to spend his time in court. He seemed to enjoy it a lot, and he certainly will be missed. He gave so much to the profession, to the district, but he had so much more to give."
Edwards had recently implemented a City Court program that offers people with outstanding warrants to resolve issues without facing arrest or heavy penalties.
"He actually thought that perhaps some ADAs and prosecutors could be there and it was possible to even resolve some of these charges and try to clear up the system," Landry said. "It was very new to this area."
Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Boulet said she's known Edwards from a distance for years but didn't work closely with him until she took office in January.
Boulet said she witnessed his passion while serving with him on the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee.
"He was so passionate about really getting to the core of an issue like drug addiction," Boulet said. "He really tried to not just process people through the court system but really tried to help solve those problems with people so that they don't get caught in the court system and they do go back to having a functional life. I think his life was more about helping people than it was about anything else. He was a very unique leader in that way."
Boulet said Edwards challenged everyone, including herself, to be intellectually honest and thoughtful about their work and the decisions they make.
"We have participated together in really trying to open the conversation around childhood trauma and the impacts it has on people," Boulet said. "He always asked deeper questions."
City Marshal Reggie Thomas said Edwards will forever be a legend in the city and community.
"He paved the way for so many and was a true friend to me," Thomas said in a statement. "Judge Edwards’ career speaks for itself — he loved his work, his family and his country and he served honorably. We were fortunate enough to have him here as City Judge and we will remember him in his court. He was a true mentor to me and many and is someone that will truly be missed."
City Court Administrator Kelly Mouisset called Edwards one of the most amazing judges she's served alongside.
"He was a man of integrity with such a strong faith," Mouisset said in a statement. "His absence will be felt by all who knew him."
Lafayette Fire Chief Robert Benoit said Edwards was a highly respected individual and legal advocate for the community.
"He was a truly dedicated public servant," Benoit said in a statement. "His presence will be deeply missed. However, his impact will be forever present in the many lives he's touched."
Staff writer Ja'kori Madison contributed to this report.