Federal judge killed in car crash outside Nevada courthouse

U.S. District Judge Larry Hicks was killed Wednesday afternoon when he was struck by a car outside a federal court in Reno, Nevada.

At around 2:15 p.m., police officers responded to a 911 call that a pedestrian had been struck by a car. When they arrived at the scene, officers immediately transported Hicks to a local hospital, where he later reportedly died. He was 80 years old.

Hicks began his career as a prosecutor in Nevada in 1968. He later became district attorney for Washoe County. He then went into private practice and became a partner before being nominated to a federal judge by President George W. Bush. In 2001, he was sworn in as a U.S. District Judge for the District of Nevada.

His son, Chris Hicks, is currently the district attorney for Washoe County. He issued a statement following his father’s death.

“Today our community lost an extraordinary man,” said the district attorney. “Judge Larry Hicks was a deeply admired lawyer and judge, a devoted friend, mentor and a dedicated servant of justice. To us, he was first and foremost a man who put family above all else. He was a hero in every way, a loving husband of nearly 59 years, a loving father, an adoring papa and brother. His loss is unfathomable.”

According to multiple reports, Hicks was incredibly proud of his family. Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam noted in a previous interview that Hicks always believed his family was the most important thing to him, trumping any professional success he had.

“Despite his remarkable accomplishments, Judge Hicks once said, ‘My greatest lifeblood is my family,'” Balaam said. “His philosophy of life was based on a balance between family, work and self.”

Balaam released a statement on the judge’s death.

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“Larry Hicks was a one-of-a-kind man who was revered in our community and most of all loved by his family,” Balaam said. “On behalf of my family and the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office, we extend our deepest condolences to Larry’s son Chris, the current District Attorney, and to Larry’s entire family. Judge Hicks’ legacy will be remembered forever in Washoe County.”

Out of respect for and in honor of Hicks, flags outside federal courthouses across the state of Nevada will fly at half-staff, multiple reports confirmed.