PRESTONSBURG – A reception to honor the retirement of Floyd County Circuit Judge Danny P. Caudill was held this past week at May Lodge at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg.

Caudill served just over 17 years as a circuit judge in Floyd County.

“No one reaches a level of success if they don’t have people who care for them, assist them,” said Caudill. “I have been very fortunate to have worked with the people I have. I never dreaded going to work while doing this job. I’ve been a lucky person, and you’re the ones who made that luck for me.”

Now a resident of Lawrenceburg in Anderson County, Caudill said he would be traveling back to Floyd at various times, as would his wife. In the meantime, he will soon begin traveling the state as a senior judge, offering advice and counseling attorneys and others in the legal profession.

Fellow Circuit Judge John David Caudill, who at times became visibly emotional during the evening, moderated the reception and spoke highly of his colleague.

“I think this should be amended to honor the service that Judge Danny Caudill has given to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, specifically to Floyd County, Kentucky,” John David Caudill told those attendance.

The evening was laced with goodhearted humor, in particular focusing at one point on the long-running speedbump of people confusing the two circuit judges over the years.

“We are not related,” said John David Caudill, “except during election years.”

In turn, Judge Danny Caudill himself turned on the wit when reflecting on his career, relating a question from a co-worker as to whether retiring made him “feel old.”

Caudill said later that, after being asked the question, he found an old picture while cleaning out his desk.

“I had a lot more hair and it was a lot more brown,” he joked. “So, after considering the evidence I will say that I am fast approaching ... middle age.”

During the reception, Caudill was presented with a plaque of recognition from the Floyd County Bar Association and heard comments from Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge Janet Stumbo and Chief Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court John Minton.

“If you look in the dictionary for the definition of an independent judge, that would be Danny Caudill,” Stumbo said. “I’ve set through many motion hours with him and enjoyed his friendship.”

Chief Justice Minton spoke of Caudill’s widespread notoriety as a working judge.

“Your reputation for fairness is well-deserved,” said Minton. “It reaches all the way to Frankfort. We look forward to you visiting these others places and working with others.”

Stories were told of the two circuit judges confiding in one another and asking advice, sharing a special bond between two unique public servants.

“I look forward to working with the person who steps into his shoes,” John David Caudill said near the end of the evening. “I hope we have the same kind of relationship.”

As of this week, no replacement had been appointed to fill Caudill’s seat until the upcoming election.