Kim C. Hammond, who served as the only circuit judge for Flagler County for most of his judicial career, died on Sunday. He was 72 years old.
- Judge Kim C. Hammond, former Flagler County judge, dies
- Hammond died Sunday, July 17, in hospice care. He was 72 years old
- The justice center in Flagler County is named in Hammond's honor
Hammond served as a judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit for more than 30 years. The current courthouse in Bunnell, the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, is named in Hammond's honor.
Hammond died in hospice care, the circuit said in a news release.
A native of Miami, Hammond grew up in Melbourne. He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Florida State University, where Hammond was an All-American quarterback. He played professional football for the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots while going to law schools.
Hammond passed the Florida Bar in 1972 and started as an attorney in private practice in Daytona Beach. He was appointed to the bench in late 1979 and, for many years, served as the only circuit judge sitting in Bunnell and presiding over all aspects of law.
Hammond was credited with making the new courthouse in Flagler County a reality. The justice center, named in his honor, opened in 2007. Hammond also served as a former chief judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit.
He retired from the bench Jan. 3, 2011.
"Judge Hammond was a beloved judge in the Seventh Judicial Circuit," Chief Judge Raul A. Zambrano said in a news release. "He was the ultimate statesman and was revered by his colleagues on the bench. He will be missed but will always be remembered as a true Seminole."
Hammond was active in his community and served with several organizations.
Details about funeral services haven't been released.
Hammond is survived by his wife, Jan, three children and eight grandchildren.