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Marshall County Judge Mike Miller

Hosting the Marshall County Bean Soup supper 2009

An interview over a trash can with Mike Miller

Miller shares a laugh with Republican Rep. Melvin Henley and Rita Henley.

Marshall County Judge Mike Miller collapsed in his office this morning and died at the Marshall County Hospital around 11 a.m.

The longest serving county judge in Kentucky, Miller, had just been elected to his 11th term.

Judge Miller was a favorite friend of ours and his wit and plain speaking will be missed.

Miller was always looking out for his county and he was never afraid to approach state and federal officials.

A couple of years ago, Governor Beshear stepped off a plane in Paducah in a flyaround of the state announcing some new program.

First person he met - Mike Miller.

"What are you doing here, Mike?" I heard the Governor say.
"I'm here for some money, Governor." Miller deadpanned.

County Judge Miller, age 70, fought health issues in his last few years in office. He told me in 2009 that if his health improved, he would run again.

It did. He did. And he won another term.

Mike Miller was the last of the old time county judges and there will be no replacing his style, his wit and his bulldog support of Marshall County.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul issued the following statement:

"I am deeply saddened at the passing of Marshall County Judge-Executive Mike Miller. Mike was a dedicated public servant who spent 40 years of his life serving the community he loved as county judge-executive. Mike and I worked well together over the past few years, despite being from different political parties. Kelley and I offer our condolences and prayers to Chyrill and the Miller family."

And from Treasurer Todd Hollenbach:

Frankfort, KY - "I was saddened to hear of the passing of Judge Miller, a long-time family friend who was mentored by my father and, in return, mentored me when I entered public service. Judge Miller was a model of public service, witnessed by the decades of work for and dedication to the people of Marshall County. But his influence was felt far beyond the lake region of western Kentucky and we will all miss his wit, wisdom, and friendship."

These are the first of what we expect to be many tributes.

The longest serving Kentucky county judge, Mike Miller, was one of a kind.

(To read our 2009 interview with Miller, click on "More")