NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Hundreds of friends and family filled the pews at Saint Mark Roman Catholic Church Saturday afternoon to remember the late Judge John Joseph Carroll III.
Tripp Watson, now an Assistant District Attorney for Bladen County, said Carroll was always professional and a gentleman.
"He was instrumental in me actually getting into Vermont Law School," said Watson, "which is the same school he attended."
Carroll earned a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq, but he's known better in Southeastern North Carolina for his years of service as a District Court Judge for New Hanover and Pender counties.
His office sat right next to that of Judge James Faison.
"He has made us proud here in the community," said Faison, "and we are going to miss him."
Carroll leaves behind a wife and four kids, five sisters and one brother. He was 50 years old.
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