In a unanimous decision, the Boone County Commissioners have chosen to honor a former local law enforcement figure, designating the new Boone County Justice Center to bear the name of the late Ern K. Hudson. Hudson, remembered for his tenures as Boone County Sheriff from 1979 to 1986 and again from 1991 to 1998, was revered in the community for his commitment to law enforcement and his impactful career which also included a stint as an Indiana State Police trooper before his election as sheriff. His wife, Judy Hudson, shouldered the role of sheriff during 1987-1990, a testament to the family's dedication to public service. Hudson's legacy endures beyond his death in 2017.
Current Boone County Sheriff Tony Harris, a one-time hire of Hudson's, was among the advocates to permanently attach the former sheriff's name to the justice center. The newly-named Ern K. Hudson Justice Center is an expansion of the 1992 facility, which Hudson had a pivotal role in developing during his time as sheriff. His former colleague, Sheriff Ken P. Campbell, remarked on Hudson's efficiency and foresight, saying, "It was state-of-the-art and built for expansion. Most notably, Ernie came in under budget and on-time." Campbell's statement was corroborated by information obtained from Boone County's official announcement.
The decision to name the justice center after Hudson also drew praise from Boone County Commission President Scott Pell, who spoke highly of the former sheriff's service. "Sheriff Hudson was such a key part of our community for years and he was among the best police officers I have ever known," Pell observed. The Boone County declaration also highlighted Pell's acknowledgement of the justice center naming as a "small but important way we can remember his service to Boone County."
With the new $59 million justice center project initiated in 2022, the Boone County community has sought to honor Hudson's memory in a manner befitting his distinguished career. The facility is anticipated to be dedicated later this year, serving not only as a testament to Hudson's work but also as a facility equipped to meet the expanding requirements of justice administration in the county.
