AITKIN-A Nerf gun war isn't the typical prelude to a judicial swearing-in ceremony.
But that's exactly what happened behind closed doors Friday at the Aitkin County Courthouse before Judge David Ten Eyck gave the oath of office to Judge David Hermerding.
Ten Eyck gifted the toys in honor of the occasion to Hermerding, a man he said he's known for almost 25 years.
"This is the moment that David (Hermerding) has waited for for quite awhile," Ten Eyck said. "I've always been impressed with his complete character as a human being, always being a decent guy."
Ten Eyck, a Crow Wing County judge for the Ninth Judicial District since 1999, told the crowded courtroom of more than 80 people Aitkin County was fortunate Hermerding would be seated on the bench.
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"From my perspective, with having known David as long as I have and having known Aitkin, he will be a wonderful fit for this community and for the justice system here," Ten Eyck said.
Hermerding was appointed by Gov. Mark Dayton as a Ninth Judicial District judge earlier this month. He is replacing retiring Judge John Solien. The Ninth Judicial District is made up of Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau counties.
After taking the oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the state of Minnesota, Hermerding told Solien he had "mighty big shoes, a big robe to fill."
"I appreciate what you've done here, and if I can do anywhere like you have done, I am going to be so blessed," Hermerding said.
He thanked all the Crow Wing County judges for their friendship and for "putting up with sometimes when I would talk with a French accent in court."
Hermerding was most recently the chief deputy Crow Wing County attorney, but has a long history of law practice in the Brainerd area.
He served as assistant Crow Wing County attorney, a managing and staff attorney in the Ninth Judicial District Public Defender's Office, a partner at Mitchell & Hermerding, and an associate at Ryan, Ruttger & Drake and Erickson Law Offices. He has a bachelor's degree from Saint John's University and earned his law degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
Hermerding is the past president of the Aitkin-Crow Wing County Bar Association, and is also a member of the Mercy Task Force and the Violent Crimes Coordinating Council.
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Crow Wing County Attorney Don Ryan told the Brainerd Dispatch earlier this month he's known Hermerding since his attendance at Saint John's University with Ryan's brother. He hired Hermerding as a young associate at his private practice and again years later into the county attorney's office.
Ryan said while prosecutors are often portrayed as cold, hard lawyer types, Hermerding could not have a more different demeanor. Ryan pointed to his work as a prosecutor in the Drug Court, where defendants have praised Hermerding as the reason they were able to maintain their sobriety. He said the defendants often called Hermerding in the middle of the night to receive support.
"I think David Hermerding is going to make a great judge," Ryan said. "David might be the fairest minded person I have ever known in my whole life. ... He's never forgotten his roots. He's never forgotten where he came from. He just looks at everybody as an individual and treats them all fairly."
On Friday, Hermerding expressed his love toward his father, Walt, his sister and brother-in-law, his wife, Kathleen, and his six children: Malia, Mariko, Maya, Benjamin, Joshua and Brendan.
"I love you more than you will ever know," Hermerding said.
Before leaving for a reception at the 40 Club in Aitkin, Hermerding said he was excited for his judgeship.
"I'm very glad to be here in Aitkin County," Hermerding said. "I think it's a great honor. I look forward to it so much, and I have lots of great people to turn to to help me out in the future."
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