Fourth Judicial District Circuit Court Judge O. Duane Slone died in a traffic accident on Aug. 25, 2024, in Jefferson County. He was 61 years old.
Judge Slone, a former drug trafficking prosecutor, was first elected to the 4th Judicial District Circuit Court in 1998. In 2009, he co-founded his judicial district’s Drug Recovery Court and was recognized nationally for his efforts to address the opioid addiction crisis.
Judge Slone served as Chairman of the 8 State Appalachian-Midwest Regional Judicial Opioid Initiative, the Substance Misuse & Addiction Resources for Tennessee “SMART” Justice Network, and the Tennessee Judicial Conference Problem Solving Court Committee. He was also a steering committee member of the National Rural Justice Collaborative and “SMART” Policy Network.
Additionally, Judge Slone was involved with several national organizations. He was a member of the National Institute of Drug Addiction JCOIN Practitioner Advisory Board, the SAMHSA Advisory Committee for Women’s Services, and the White House ONDCP National SUD Strategic Advisory Panel Criminal Justice Workgroup.
He received numerous state and national awards for his work addressing the opioid crisis, including the 2019 National Center for State Courts William H. Rehnquist Judicial Excellence Award.
In September 2019, Judge Slone discussed the court’s response to the opioid addiction epidemic on TN Court Talk, an educational podcast from the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Before becoming a judge, Judge Slone practiced law privately at Law Offices of Duane Slone in Dandridge & Sevierville from 1994-1998. He also served as Assistant District Attorney General in charge of drug trafficking prosecutions for the 4th Judicial District from 1991-1994 and worked at Galyon & Stokes in Sevierville from 1990-1991.
Judge Slone earned his J.D. from Memphis State University in 1990 and his B.A. from Carson Newman College in 1987.
"Judge Slone exemplified how the judicial system serves the community. He was both fair and kind to the people who came before his court," said Michelle Long, AOC Director. "His heart for the people of this state and the 4th judicial district—ravaged by the opioid crisis—brought about a solution-oriented approach focused on recovery—and he undoubtedly changed countless lives."
"The passing of Judge Slone is a tragic loss for the Judiciary and the State of Tennessee," stated Judge James Gass of the 4th Judicial District Circuit Court. "His most important contribution to our judicial system was his groundbreaking work to combat opioid addiction."
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