As Missouri Supreme Court Appointee Judge Roy L. Richter’s term in Ferguson Municipal Court was expiring in June of 2015, the City of Ferguson faced a serious dilemma with respect to its much-maligned municipal court. Not only was it important to continue the progress underway, but considering recent unrest and calls for court reform, it was more important to get the right person as the city attempted to move forward.
I called recently retired Circuit Court Judge Donald L. McCullin and asked him to apply.
This was a tough (phone) call for me – tough in the sense that I was a newly elected councilman attempting, with many others, to help navigate Ferguson through a historical chapter while literally the eyes of the world watched. The courts were one of the issues that the city could not afford to get wrong. Additionally, I was potentially interviewing a man who I cut my teeth with as a young, fresh-out-of-law school public defender. Who was I to question him?
Judge McCullin not only mentored myself, but many other area attorneys. As a result, there was a part of me that anticipated he would think this job beneath him. But, true to form, this lifetime public servant did not hesitate. His response was, “Is anyone going to have a problem with me doing what’s right?” “Absolutely not,” I said. He continued, “If anyone expects me to generate revenue, I’m not interested.”
The city at the time was beginning the process of interviewing potential candidates, and my next fear was that he would feel slighted. With a resume which expanded longer than I had been  alive, it seemed insulting to ask this legal legend to go through several interview panels. To the contrary, he insisted on going through the process like every other applicant.
Needless to say, he became the clear choice of the citizens and City Council.
Without doing a deep dive into his many accomplishments, I will mention that prior to enrolling in law school he was an educator. Thus, it is not surprising that, when I discussed him with colleagues, the two most consistent and recurring themes are that he was “fair” and a “mentor.”
Henry Brooks Adams said, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
Judge Donald McCullin now belongs to the ages, but I anticipate his influence will continue to be felt by many; certainly by me.
That, indeed, was the right call.
Wesley Bell is a member of the Ferguson City Council.
