Assessor Doug Sonnemann jokes with East Fork Constable Paul Gilbert in 2018 at a celebration of Sonnemann's last year in office. Gilbert was just starting his last term.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
For a man who spent a half century serving the people of Douglas County, East Fork Justice of the Peace Paul Gilbert was pretty happy to remain under the radar.
Gilbert is hanging up his robes this month.
Gilbert was appointed to the judgeship in 2022 after the death of Cassandra Jones.
He was the last constable in Douglas County, having served in the office for 40 years before its duties were taken over by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office the end of that year.
Gilbert was a logical choice for appointment as justice of the peace since he’d served as judge pro-tem since 1986.
On Dec. 5, Douglas County commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing 42 years in office that stretched back to his original election in 1982, just eight years after he graduated from Douglas County High School in 1974.
He was one of the earliest members of the Douglas County Sheriff’s cadet program, when he signed up in 1972 as a high school junior.
When he was appointed to the judgeship, Gilbert said he wouldn’t seek re-election, and he was good to his word.
The seat will be taken by former Douglas County prosecutor Laurie Trotter. who won election in November.
