Fourth Judicial District Circuit Court Judge O. Duane Slone died in a traffic accident on Aug. 25, 2024, in Jefferson County. He was 61 years old.
Judge Slone, a former drug trafficking prosecutor, was first elected to the 4th Judicial District Circuit Court in 1998, and in 2009 he co-founded his judicial district’s Drug Recovery Court. He was recognized nationally as an effective collaborator and innovator for his efforts to address the Opioid Driven Addiction Crisis.
Judge Slone served as Chairman of the 8 State Appalachian-Midwest Regional Judicial Opioid Initiative, the Substance Misuse & Addiction Resources for Tennessee “SMART” Justice Network, and the Tennessee Judicial Conference Problem Solving Court Committee. He was a steering committee member of the National Rural Justice Collaborative and “SMART” Policy Network.
Additionally, Judge Slone was a member of the National Institute of Drug Addiction JCOIN Practitioner Advisory Board, the SAMHSA Advisory Committee for Women’s Services and the White House ONDCP National SUD Strategic Advisory Panel Criminal Justice Workgroup.
Judge Slone was honored as the recipient of many state and national awards for his innovative work addressing the Opioid Crisis including the 2019 National Center for State Courts William H. Rehnquist Judicial Excellence Award, the nation’s highest state court judicial honor in recognition this work.
In September 2019, Judge Slone talked about the court’s response to the opioid addiction epidemic on TN Court Talk, an educational podcast from the Administrative Office of the Courts: Ep. 4 Court Innovations (buzzsprout.com)
He was also interviewed on a national television program about the Recovery Cabin, where drug-addicted women - many of them pregnant - could recover. Meet a Tough Judge Who Takes A Tender Approach With Drug-Addicted Moms | Megyn Kelly TODAY (youtube.com).
Prior to taking the bench, Judge Slone was in Private Practice of Law, Law Offices of Duane Slone, Dandridge & Sevierville, TN, from 1994-1998; Assistant District Attorney General in charge of drug trafficking prosecutions, 4th Judicial District, State of Tennessee, from 1991-1994; and the Law Office of Galyon & Stokes, Sevierville, TN, from 1990-1991.
Judge Slone receive his J.D. from Memphis State University, in 1990, and his B.A. from Carson Newman College, in 1987.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. at Pathways Church in Sevierville, Tenn.
Remembrances & Condolences:
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"It is with shock and sadness we mourn the sudden loss of Judge Duane Slone. He was not only an excellent jurist, but also a compassionate man who saw the humanity in every person who came into his courtroom. Judge Slone often said, ‘the opposite of addiction is relationship,’ and that’s what he offered those who stood before him, especially young mothers. He saw the judicial system as a pathway to redemption, reconnection, and restoration. We in the Tennessee judiciary honor his legacy."
-Chief Justice Holly Kirby, Tennessee Supreme Court
"Judge Slone exemplified how the judicial system serves the community. He was both fair and kind to the people who came before his court. His heart for the people of this state and the 4th judicial district- ravaged by the opioid crisis- brought about a solution-oriented approach focused on recovery- and he undoubtedly changed countless lives. Judge Slone is beloved in Tennessee and beyond. Yes, he was a judge, but more than that, he was a true servant of our state, and we are all better for it."
-Michelle Long, AOC Director
"No expression of loss we all feel would be complete without remembering the many positive ways he changed countless lives. Judge Slone not only conducted his court in a fair and efficient way, he made every effort to make a positive impact on those who appeared before him. He was tireless in combating the effects of illegal drugs on our state and country.
He co-founded the Drug Recovery Court in our judicial district. The court review of defendants with drug addition issues (TNROCS), was started by his efforts. Funding for this program which kept addicted offenders on a review calendar of compliance, was his constant goal. Many people are alive and sober today as a direct result of his work.
Judge Slone formed a non-profit organization to open a mother’s shelter in the district for Opioid recovering mothers. This facility has provided a safe recovery home for over 70 women and aided over 20 women in giving birth to healthy babies.
He also taught attorneys and judges across the United States on addiction issues and strategies to prevent addiction relapse. His efforts garnered him recognition by the National Center for State Courts with the William H. Rehnquist Judicial Excellence Award, the Nation’s highest State Court Judicial Honor. Duane was a visionary who made lives better.
Many times we cannot understand why the brightest leave this world far too soon. That statement fairly describes the loss of Judge Slone. Having known him for years and served with him in the judiciary, we are each honored to remember Judge Duane Slone for leaving this state a better place for his efforts.
-The Circuit Judges and Chancellor of the 4th Judicial District: Judge Jim Gass, Judge Carter Moore, Judge Rex Ogle, Judge Jeff Rader, Chancellor Jim Ripley
"The passing of Judge Slone is a tragic loss for the Judiciary and the State of Tennessee. He worked tirelessly to operate a fair and efficient court. His most important contribution to our judicial system was his groundbreaking work to combat the effects of opioid addiction in those who appeared before him. Those efforts lead to countless citizens recovering from addiction and returning to lead sober productive lives."
-Judge James Gass, 4th Judicial District Circuit Court
"Rest in peace old friend. I am saddened by the news of your passing, but may your legacy of serving, attacking the opioid crisis from the bench, and helping our at-risk children always be remembered and continued."
-Richard I. Kantner, Jr., Attorney/Carson Newman classmate and friend
"This is very sad news. When I thought of Judge Slone (which was often, especially during the height of the opioid crisis), I thought of President Teddy Roosevelt’s description of the Man in the Arena – “It’s not the critic who counts; . . . the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly . . . .” No one will ever describe Judge Slone as one who sat on the sidelines and did nothing. Whether it was making the Drug Court work, setting up a home for pregnant women who knew addiction during perhaps the most vulnerable period of their lives, adopting a child touched by the opioid epidemic, or cheering the efforts of others, this judge was a leader. I am both profoundly sad, and also grateful, that we had Judge Slone for what seems like a very short time. He will be missed."
-Herbert H. Slatery III, Former Tennessee Attorney General & Reporter
The Rehnquist Award honors a state court judge who demonstrates the qualities of judicial excellence, integrity, fairness, open-mindedness, legal knowledge, ethics, creativity, and sound judgment. Judge Slone possessed each of those qualities, and so much more. Judge Slone demonstrated outstanding judicial leadership, personal and professional integrity, and pure heart in using his platform as a judge to combat the opioid/addiction crisis. He has been an innovator, an initiator, a collaborator, and a visionary … and most importantly, his pivotal role in numerous cataclysmic systemic changes resulting in saving thousands of lives. That legacy lives on across our entire nation now in the training and curriculum he was to train court systems across our entire nation. When asked how it felt to be told by a young mom in recovery that “you saved my life and my baby’s life”; Judge Slone’s humble response was “it’s like heaven on earth.” His life calls us to be our better selves and make a true and lasting difference every single day. He will be missed."
-Deborah Taylor Tate, former TN AOC Director
"On behalf of myself and all of the Tennessee Progressive In-House Counsel staff, I would like to express our deepest sympathies and condolences regarding the recent loss of Judge Slone. I had the pleasure of practicing in front of him on many civil cases over my career and always appreciated his professionalism and guidance. I also appreciated the way he gave back and tried to have a positive impact on the communities he served through his various advocacy programs. I wish for peace, understanding, and comfort for his family and friends during this difficult time and hope that those responsible are held accountable for their reckless actions to the fullest extent of the law. Judge Slone will be truly miss and his passing is a painful loss for the greater East Tennessee legal community at large. Please let me or our office know if we may be of any assistance during these difficult times."
-Landon M. Hickey, In-House Counsel - Progressive Casualty Insurance Co.
"I am so sorry to hear this. I knew Duane through my mother, who was a Court Reporter. She spoke very highly of Duane and respected him. My mother passed away in 2021. This would have devastated her."
- Keela Phillips Henson, Friend
“Judge Slone helped me in my opioid crisis. I've been clean and sober because of his love to help someone like me. Don't get me wrong, if he thinks you’re gonna die he will put you in jail. May he rest in peace and I send prayers to his family. It’s gonna take a big shoe to fill his place in this community.”
-Amanda Christie, Met him while I was in trouble
“The tragic death of Judge Duane Slone is a terrible loss to his family, his friends, the legal community, the recovery community, Tennessee and indeed our nation. He was a tremendous partner and advisor to me and my public health colleagues in Tennessee and to numerous national efforts to address the opioid epidemic.
I knew Judge Slone to be a kind, thoughtful, humble and dedicated public servant. In his tireless efforts to further recovery through innovative practices in drug recovery court, he was a leader and a recognized visionary in Tennessee and our nation. His work touched many lives, no doubt more than he knew, and his passing will be felt and mourned deeply.
May our Lord provide solace, peace and comfort to those Judge Slone loved and ministered to here in this life even as He embraces His child Duane in Heaven.”
-John J. Dreyzehner, MD, Former Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Health
“Judge Slone was a devoted lifelong learner who not only continued to expand his own knowledge through judicial education courses but was also dedicated to sharing what he learned with judges and court officials in his home state. He educated hundreds of Tennessee judges on substance misuse, resulting in an immeasurable impact on the court system and justice-involved individuals at every level. His passion for justice, combined with a growth mindset, is a shining example of what a judge should be. The National Judicial College extends its sincerest condolences to Judge Slone’s friends, family, and the entire Tennessee court system.”
-Hon. Benes Z. Aldana (Ret.), President & CEO, The National Judicial College
“I was heartbroken when I received the news of Duane’s untimely passing. He was more than just a world changing respected jurist to me. I’m proud to call him a friend and mentor. We always shared smiles, laughs, and funny stories. He was a great guy to be around and I miss him already. His dedication to service and recovery will remain unrivaled. He walked the walk and put his heart into his career. We were all blessed to have him, and losing him is devastating.”
-Justin Angel, Circuit Court Judge and friend
“The loss of Judge Duane Slone is incalculable. Just as incalculable, however, will be the positive ripple effects that will continue to be seen in our community for years to come as a result of his labor. It is impossible to quantify the number of lives saved, lives restored, at-risk babies born into safe environments, and children reunited with parents due to his efforts. He was an exceptional judge and he lived out a demonstrable faith through his life's work. He treated every person on his docket with respect, and to all who knew him, he was more than just a judge. To me, he was a mentor, he was my friend, and I will miss him immensely.”
-Jeremy Ball, Assistant District Attorney (4th Judicial District)
-Jeremy Ball
