Judge Redington Retires as Knox County Associate Circuit Judge

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By Echo Menges

EDINA, Mo. — After more than a decade on the bench and a career marked by innovation and statewide leadership in treatment courts, Tom Redington, Knox County associate circuit judge, officially retired Friday, Feb. 13, concluding his judicial service in the Second Judicial Circuit of Missouri.

Redington will continue serving as a senior judge for the First, Second and Tenth circuit courts.

A retirement reception was held Friday afternoon in the courtroom at the Knox County Courthouse, marking Redington’s final day in office. Judges from across the region, court staff, community members and former clients gathered to recognize his years of service and lasting impact on the local justice system.

Redington presided over his final law day as associate circuit judge on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

The program featured remarks from several colleagues and longtime associates, including former assistant prosecutor Doug Brown, who served as keynote speaker. Brown worked alongside Redington as an assistant prosecutor during his 17-year tenure as Marion County prosecuting attorney.

“Somebody like Judge Redington does not get to be Judge Redington and does not get to have a career path without somebody behind him. In this case (it was his wife) Marty. Without her, I don’t think he could have done what he did,” said Brown.

Brown also highlighted some of Redington’s accomplishments as Marion County prosecutor.

“One of the things that Tom did to address that situation and cause Northeast Missouri to fall from grace as number one (methamphetamine manufacturing leader in the country). He got a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, which is the agency that made that determination. He got a grant on something called the high intensity drug trafficking area and that’s how I got to work for him. I reported to a couple of assistant U.S. attorneys in St. Louis, and I was a special assistant U.S. attorney in Northeast Missouri for a time. I’ll just mention two of the things his office did during that time. One was that he was able to get somebody to successfully lobby the state legislature to pass a statute. Possession of drug paraphernalia was a misdemeanor in the state of Missouri,” said Brown.

Redington, Sen. Joe Maxwell and Brown worked to pass a law making possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture methamphetamine a felony. Brown credited him with making a lasting impact in helping rein in meth manufacturing across the region.

“The criminal law changed in 2017 and some of the statutes that existed got repealed and left out in the revision, but that one was left in,” said Brown.

Brown also highlighted the successful prosecution of James Scott.

“James Scott was convicted of breaking a levy in 1993 and flooding untold acres. That case was reversed on appeal and Judge Redington front of a jury from Pettis County in front of Court TV, and got a conviction. There’s somebody never convicted of murder. Never accused or convicted of manslaughter, stealing, assault, burglary, drug offenses, and he remains in custody, incarcerated, in prison today. That’s a long time for somebody not being convicted of those types of things,” said Brown.

Second Circuit Presiding Judge Matt Wilson, former Presiding Judge Russell Steele, and two former drug court participants also offered remarks, thanking Redington for his leadership and dedication while highlighting his work in the treatment court programs.

“Judge thank you for all you have done from the bench and as a prosecutor, and for all the lives and people you’ve changed,” said Wilson.

“He was always fair and impartial, which is the foundation of the justice system,” said Steele. “When I asked him to take on a project for me, one of which was the Drug Court Program, a huge project, he never said no. He was always there to go above and beyond the responsibilities. It has been a pleasure to work with him. I’ve been retired for four years, and you’re going to love it. I just want to say I’ve enjoyed working with you when I was an acting judge. I wish you the very best. You’ve earned this retirement. Thank you for your service.”

“It feels a little bit like a funeral,” said Redington. “It reminds me a little bit of a movie called Waking Ned Devine.”

Redington thanked his wife, the court staff and his fellow judges, with particular emphasis on his wife, Marty. He also gave special recognition to Drug Court Administrator Jane Moore, whom he credited as the lifeblood of the Second Judicial Circuit’s treatment court programs.

Appointed in January 2014 by then-Gov. Jay Nixon, Redington filled the seat vacated by Judge William Alberty and was elected to a full term later that year. He was retained by voters in 2018 and again in 2022, serving just over 12 years as judge in Knox County following his 17-year career as Marion County prosecutor. In total, he has served nearly 30 years in public service.

Since becoming a judge, he has overseen misdemeanor, civil and felony cases in Knox County while also serving in surrounding counties.

Beyond his courtroom duties, Redington became widely known for his leadership of the Second Circuit Treatment Court Program, which includes drug court, DWI court and family treatment court. Since approximately 2015, he has worked to expand access to treatment, secure grant funding and introduce innovative support services for participants.

One of the program’s most notable initiatives was a dental care partnership launched in 2019 with Knox County Dental and A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health, providing essential services to participants facing health barriers to recovery.

His work earned statewide recognition in 2024, when he received the Claire McCaskill Award for Excellence in Treatment Courts, one of Missouri’s highest honors in the field.

“It’s really hard at times to find people who will serve out in these rural areas, and we appreciate that,” said State Rep. Greg Sharp, R-Dist. 4, during presentation of a House resolution in Redington’s honor. “Thank you for your service to the state. Congratulations on this milestone, and best of luck to you on your endeavours from here on out.”

During his remarks Friday, Redington expressed gratitude to his family — including his children and grandchildren who were in attendance — colleagues and court staff for their support throughout his career. He placed particular emphasis on the staff of the Circuit Clerk’s Office, Knox County Circuit Clerk Kimberly Hatfield and her deputies, Serena Poor and Lori Goodwin. He also paid homage to Moore, whom he credited as a driving force behind the success of the treatment court program across the circuit.

“Last and certainly not least, Marty, my love, my best friend, my partner in many, many adventures. And on my next adventure,” said Redington. “You may want to know what we’re going to do. I’m going to take senior status, so I may be around. I have also accepted a position at Quincy University. I’m going to be teaching there in the fall, in the political science department.”

Redington closed with an old Irish toast featured in Waking Ned Devine:

“Since it fell to be my lot, that I should leave and you should not, I gently rise and softly call goodnight and joy be to you all. So fill to me the parting glass and drink to health whatever may fall. Then gently rise and softly call, goodnight and joy be to you all. Good night and joy be to you all. Thank you very much.”

Redington began his legal career after earning degrees from Quincy University and the University of Seattle School of Law. He previously served as prosecuting attorney in Marion County before accepting the judicial appointment in Knox County. Early in life, he pursued a career in journalism, an experience he has said helped shape his understanding of public service and community responsibility.

Throughout his tenure, colleagues and participants alike have described Redington as a judge who balanced toughness, fairness, structure and opportunity for those seeking recovery and stability.

As he steps away as associate circuit judge, community leaders say his influence will continue through the programs he helped build and the lives he touched.

During an interview ahead of his retirement, Redington told The Edina Sentinel his biggest achievement as Knox County associate circuit judge was “convincing Jane Moore to come to work for the Drug Court Program.” He said the hardest part of being a judge was making difficult decisions that affected people’s lives.

“I’ve enjoyed being a judge. It was not a goal of mine. Judge Steele talked me into it,” said Redington. “I tried over 100 jury trials and I was looking for a new challenge. I’m happy I did it. It’s been fulfilling.”

He noted, however, that the job was not easy, and that the greatest challenge was one he did not anticipate until taking on the role.

“The decisions we have to make are hard and painful for some of the people involved. Sometimes I have to make a decision the law requires me to make — that’s hard. I didn’t expect it to be that hard. Even if it’s a small case, it’s not easy,” said Redington.