For Allen Municipal Court Judge Linda Hopper, the end of 2016 will be “bittersweet.”
Hopper joined fellow staff members at the city council meeting on Nov. 8 as Mayor Stephen Terrell proclaimed the second week of November “Municipal Courts Week.”
It will be Hopper’s last as municipal court judge; after nearly a quarter-century on the bench, she will retire at the end of December.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone…for supporting the municipal court and allowing me to be entrusted with leading it for the last 24 years,” said Hopper. “These have been the best years of my life.”
Hopper was appointed as the city’s first sit-down judge in 1993, when Allen had fewer than 24,000 residents. At the time, the city didn’t even have a formal courtroom.
“She basically designed the court system from the ground-up,” said Mayor Stephen Terrell.
Allen’s municipal court enforces city ordinances and rules on traffic cases and misdemeanor offenses. During her tenure, Judge Hopper also helped launch the city’s Teen Court program and performed countless weddings and police swearing-in ceremonies.
“She was part of the family and I know she’s going to be missed,” said retired Allen Police sergeant Conrad Averna, who worked as Hopper’s bailiff in the early 2000s. “The whole city is going to be emptier without her.”
The City will hold a retirement party for Judge Hopper at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at Allen Senior Recreation Center (451 St. Mary Drive). Residents are encouraged to join the celebration.