A standing-room-only crowd turned out on Thursday night, Jan. 16 to see the swearing-in of Perry County’s new Probate Judge, Carlton Hogue. Hogue, a minister and former Perry County Sheriff’s Deputy, has become the first African-American man to hold the position of Probate Judge in Perry County, and one of only six statewide. Above, Circuit Judge Collins Pettway administered the oath, while Circuit Judge Don McMillan invested Hogue with his judge’s robe. At right, Hogue’s daughter Carleta spoke before her father’s inauguration. Elected officials from throughout the state attended the event, along with a gospel choir and many local citizens.
