Retired Judge Larry Jahnke receives surprise Grand Forks courtroom dedication

Dec. 5—GRAND FORKS — A retired judge who was the victim of a violent courtroom incident 30 years ago but who left a lasting legacy with his decades of work was the recipient of a surprise honor Monday at the Grand Forks County Courthouse.

With family and others in attendance, Courtroom 109 was dedicated as "The Honorable Lawrence E. Jahnke Courtroom 109" during a brief ceremony Monday afternoon. Jahnke did not know about the dedication in advance of the ceremony.

"It was totally a surprise," said Jahnke. "It's hard to describe what it means to me."

Current Northeast Central Judicial District Presiding Judge Donald Hager conducted the ceremony. Though Jahnke has many accolades, Hager said people should remember the impact Jahnke has had on others instead.

In Jahnke's career as a judge, he was known to listen to defendants.

"He allowed people to be a part of their solutions," Hager said.

Jahnke has had a big impact on the Grand Forks County Courthouse, Hager said, including courthouse security. In 1992,

Jahnke was shot by Reuben Ray Larson during a child support hearing

. The bench Jahnke was behind that day and throughout his 26 years at the courthouse is now in Courtroom 109.

Following the incident, many security measures were developed, including bulletproof glass, alarm systems, metal detectors and a security counsel.

"[The dedication] is a little bit to honor him for that — sticking with it," Hager said.

Jahnke has also made an impact as a veteran. Grand Forks County has created a veterans treatment court, which officially will open in January. Hager referred to Jahnke as the "godfather" of the program, which will be the first veterans treatment court in North Dakota.

Attendees spoke on Monday about Jahnke's impact on the community. They shared stories and highlighted his legacy.

"You have a beautiful legacy and a beautiful family to be proud of," said Rebecca Absey, who worked with Jahnke.

Jahnke was born in 1942 in Minneapolis. He attended UND, where he received an undergraduate degree in 1964 and a law degree in 1966.

He also served as judge advocate for the U.S. Air Force from 1966 to 1986. Jahnke practiced privately from 1986 to 1989 before being appointed district judge in May 1989 by then-Gov. George A. Sinner. Jahnke was elected district judge in 1990 and reelected in 1996, 2002, 2008 and 2014. He retired in 2015.

Jahnke has three children with his wife, Shirley.