'He treated me like a human being'; Graduates remember late judge Johanningsmeier

'He treated me like a human being'; Graduates remember late judge Johanningsmeier

For years... the drug court program in knox county has been helping people get back on their feet.

The program was founded in 20-16 by judge ryan johannings-meier.

The court held it's first graduation ceremony since the judge died in a plane crash.

News 10 bureau chief gary brian tells us how those who graduated remembered the judge.

Gar} "it's become tradition for those in the knox county drug court to celebrate with a graduation at the end of the program.

However just one month after loosing the court's founder...today's celebration was bittersweet."

Life just two years ago was pretty rough for jeremy thorne.

He lost his mother to suicide and became homeless.

"i didn't think that i had anybody.

But it was because of the choices i was making.

And nobody wanted to be involed with the choices that i was making."

That was until he became involved in the drug court program.

Thorne along with 13 other people found redemption by graduating the program.

That includes folks like kevin staley.

"i've changed.

So if you just dig deep within yourself and you have the will and you want you can do anything."

All 14 graduates have a combined four thousand and seventy days of sobriety.

Many spoke of getting employment and a place to lay their head.

Even more said the program helped them become better mothers and fathers to their children.

But all credited the late judge ryan johanningsmeier with playing a big role in recovery.

"very inspirational.

He treated me like a human being."

"i wanted to say how grateful i am that there are people out there like judge johanningsmeier."

That impact for thorne was all about understanding.

"i flipped out in the courtroom.

I made a big scene and got drug out by the police and everything.

He got to know a little bit about my story and he gave me a chance at drug court.

He could've just let me sit in jail for two years and just forgot about me.

But he gave me a chance.

He let me rebuild my life.

The only thing i can say is to thank him."

Gar} "judge brian johnson will take the reigns from the late judge johanningsmeier.

Working from home in vincennes, gary brian news 10."

Blood drives are harder to come by are harder to blood