Ronn Jeffrey Retiring As Cheyenne Youth Judge, To Head Task Force

Long-time Cheyenne Juvenile Court Judge Ronn Jeffrey is retiring from the bench and will now head a juvenile justice task force aimed making things better for kids.

Jeffrey's retirement was announced at a news conference called by Mayor Patrick Collins on Tuesday afternoon.

Mayor Collins: Jeffrey Has Helped Thousands Of Kids

Collins noted Judge Jeffrey's Long service to the community, saying ''In Ronn's  more than 50 years of service to the City of Cheyenne, he has helped literally thousands of kids and saved just as many families." The mayor recounted how Jeffrey founded Cheyenne Youth Alternatives after he started working in the probation office in 1971. ''More than 50,000 kids have received help through a model that was based on Ronn's vision,' the mayor said. He added that Youth Alternatives is now serving a third generation of Cheyenne families "or maybe a fourth, I don't know."

''Ronn's passion for kids and families has grown into a cherished department in our city," Collins added.

Jeffrey was appointed as a youth judge in 2006 by then Mayor Jack Spiker. Collins, who was on the City Council at the time, recalls that while Jeffrey was not a lawyer "we thought his passion for kids was more important than a law degree." The council agreed, voting unanimously to approve his appointment.

Collins says that as a judge, Jeffrey has "always found a way to prioritize positive development and accountability over punishment alone." Collins said Jeffrey was able to "change the world" and help thousands become productive citizens.

But while Jeffrey is retiring from the bench, his work on behalf of local youth is not ending. Jeffrey has agreed to head a task force looking at Cheyenne juvenile justice ordinances. The task force will report to the city council on ways to make sure best practices are in place for handling juvenile justice.

In his comments. Jeffrey noted that as a judge he was never able to lobby for changes, but now as a private citizen leading a task force he will have that ability.

In his remarks, Jeffrey said that he's never been afraid to think outside of the box when it comes to solving problems faced by youth. ''If you saw some of the solutions I came up with, you would think, wow." He cited one example where he promised a boy who loved football an autographed photo of a player who had just retired from the New England Patriots if he would work hard to improve.

''That sounds corny'' Jeffrey recalled. "'But to that kid, it was meaningful."

It worked.

'If I can find something that important to you, you can work towards that change...because it's meaningful to you."

Jeffrey said that while compassion is important in helping kids "Compassion without accountability is enabling."

He added that he has stayed in Cheyenne largely for the people. ''You have some hard edged people in Wyoming. It's hard to change their minds. But when you do, they stick with it, they follow through."