Release
For the past 24 years, Durant native Trace Sherrill has served as Special District Judge for the 19th Judicial District (Bryan County, Okla.). He has been responsible for hearing many types of cases including criminal, civil, mental health and family law cases.
“My success as Special District Judge has been the result of hard work, and striving to serve the public,” Sherrill said. “Judges deal with complex matters, which are often charged with emotion, and have a duty to determine the facts based on the evidence presented and correctly apply the law. I have an excellent working relationship with the court personnel of the 19th Judicial District, local and state law enforcement, and other agencies which are regularly involved with Court proceedings.”
Beyond his professional experience he has the temperament and demeanor necessary for the important position of Associate District Judge of Bryan County, and has great respect for this critical position of public trust.
Prior to his current position, Sherrill was sole practitioner in private practice. He was awarded his Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1992. He is a past vice-president of the Bryan County Bar Association, served on the Oklahoma Judicial Conference Executive Committee, and served as instructor for the Reserve Police Officer Academy. The Crisis Control Center and the Bryan County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program have recognized his service as Special District Judge.
Sherrill was commissioned in the United States Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General’s Corps in 2006, and transferred to the Oklahoma National Guard in 2016, where he serves as the Brigade Judge Advocate for the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT). He deployed to Ukraine with elements of the 45th IBCT, in January 2017 as the Command Judge Advocate.
Trace and Dena are proud parents of the late Colton Sherrill and Ashley Armstrong who lives in Oklahoma City with her husband Zach and son Hayes. The Sherrill’s enjoy spending time with Ashley and Zach, while spoiling their new grandson, Hayes Armstrong.
In honor of their son Colton, Sherrill and his wife Dena have partnered with Durant Main Street to create Colton’s Main Street Run, a 5K and 10K run with proceeds used for community projects and to provide AEDs for schools and other public organizations.