Gerald “Jerry” Barnett was a man of service both professionally and personally. Jerry was well known to go above and beyond what his job description called for. He was known to often have to omit or fudge hours on his time card because he would go well over the allotted 40 hours a week in his role as a Charles Mix County probation officer. Jerry took his role as a probation officer very seriously and would do all that he could to help his probationers succeed, using any available resources and being willing to try different approaches to find what would best help his probationers. He often worked tirelessly and went above and beyond what his role as probation officer called for, in an effort to help his parolees and the people in his life.

A ceremony honoring Jerry’s years of service and dedication was held on Friday, December 27th at the Charles Mix County Courthouse. There was a wonderful turnout of both personal and professional people whose lives had been touched by the late probation officer. Judge Bruce Anderson, of the First Judicial Circuit, gave the ceremony’s welcome. He was followed by Ron Freeman, Chief Court Services Officer for South Dakota’s First Judicial Circuit. Ron was Jerry’s boss. Jerry first began working for Charles Mix County as a probation officer in 2009, ending with a 15-year career with the county. Not only would Ron and Jerry discuss probationers’ cases, but they also spoke to each other as fathers and husbands, forming a true friendship. Ron spoke of how Jerry was fiercely proud of his wife and family and would do anything to support them.

Jerry was not only highly respected by his family, friends, colleagues, and judges, but also by his probationers. Jerry was truly a class act and would do everything within his professional powers to help a probationer succeed. Judge Cheryle Gering, Presiding Judge of the First Judicial Circuit, was not able to be present for the ceremony as her judicial duties prevented her, and instead sent a letter. She praised Jerry for his hard work and the opportunities that he always fought for for his probationers to have in order to afford them opportunities to change their lives. He was never afraid to give an offender a second, third, and even fourth chance if Jerry saw that there was even a glimmer of hope in the offender’s eyes.

Since Jerry’s passing, more than once a probationer has passed through the Charles Mix County court stating that they were unable to abide by the probation guidelines because they did not have Jerry anymore to talk to or help them succeed. Not only has his passing had a big effect on his probationers, but his co-workers and colleagues as well. They often think to themselves or say out loud, “what would Jerry say or do?” Jerry was also a man of faith, and would use his ministry everyday as it was very important to him to not only practice but to teach forgiveness through his actions and the way he assisted his probationers.

Judge Bruce Anderson concluded the ceremony by presenting Jerry’s wife, Judy, and their family with a certificate of service and his encased badge. These are usually presented to those who retire from the court system, but it was unanimously decided that Jerry was more than deserving of the same honor. Jerry’s effort and dedication will live on in those whose lives he touched and will hopefully have a lasting effect on his colleagues and probationers as they move forward in their personal and professional lives. PHOTO BY ALYSSA MATHIS