A dedication ceremony to rename Courtroom C2 in the Pennington County Courthouse to the Jeff W. Davis Memorial Courtroom will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 4 p.m. MDT. Former Judge Jeff W. Davis served on the bench for the Seventh Judicial Circuit in Rapid City for 43 years, making him one of the longest-serving judges in state history.
Judge Davis was appointed a magistrate judge for the Seventh Judicial Circuit in 1976 and a circuit court judge in 1979. He served as presiding judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit from 2006 to 2015. Judge Davis retired from the bench in 2019 and passed away on February 5, 2024.
Judge Davis had a significant impact on the current physical look of the Pennington County Courthouse. He was integral to several courthouse addition and remodeling projects, including the recent renovation of Courtroom C2 to reflect a historically accurate courtroom in the building. The courthouse was built in 1922.
"We think it appropriate to honor Judge Davis’ service to our state, county and community by recognizing the courtroom for which he was incredibly proud—Courtroom C2. It is clearly a showpiece of our facility,” said Judge Craig A. Pfeifle, who worked with Judge Davis. “Renaming the courtroom in his honor recognizes his contributions and honors his work."
The courtroom dedication ceremony will be held in Courtroom C2 on the third floor of the Pennington County Courthouse at 315 St. Joseph St. in Rapid City. The event is open to the public, and light refreshments will follow the ceremony.