Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Bailiff retires after 22 years
By Krista Ledbetter
Daily News staff writer
Frank Marsden remembers only one time in 22 years that he got just the slightest bit nervous on the job.
It was a 2001 first-degree homicide trial. When the verdict was read for Tywon Barber, a Beloit man who'd been accused of murdering a 19-year-old, and the jury found him not guilty, the courtroom filled with disruption.
“It was very scary because one side of the courtroom was filled with (Barber's) friends, and the other side was filled with his victim's friends,” Marsden remembered. “When the verdict came in, it was the one time in my life I was concerned.”
There was pandemonium in the courtroom, he said.
And preventing and controlling such pandemonium is Marsden's job, as it has been since 1986. Marsden has served as a court bailiff for the Rock County Courthouse for more than 22 years. At 76 years old, not only is he well-known around the courthouse, he's well-liked.
But on May 30, he'll call it a day and retire.
Marsden, of Beloit, has served as Circuit Court Judge Michael Byron's bailiff since Byron began his job in 1991. Before that, he served Circuit Court Judge Gerald Jaeckle, who hired Marsden in 1986. As far as court bailiffs go in Rock County, Marsden has outlasted them all.
“As well as I've done in this job, it's because of the good people that I've worked with,” Marsden said. “I like what I do. I like the people I work with. From the judge, to the assistants, to the court reporter, we're a team.”
He's been blessed, he said, but it's time to go.
“It's a pleasure to come to work, but I'm older now and it's time for me to retire,” he said.
But just as he's been a busy man on the job, he'll continue to be busy in retirement.
He's a lifelong resident of Beloit, married a local girl 54 years ago, he said, and has been active in the community his entire life, especially in politics.
He served on the Beloit City Council in 1970, and in the time since served on the School District of Beloit Board of Education, the Rock County Board of Supervisors, the Blackhawk Technical College Board and Beloit's Fire and Police Commission. He said he's likely to be appointed to another Beloit committee this month.
“When I retire I'm going to do some more volunteer work,” he said.
He's interested in volunteer opportunities at both Beloit Memorial Hospital and with the Caritas organization. He's also still a charter member of the Town of Turtle volunteer fire department.
After his retirement his loyalties will still lie with Beloit.
“We love Beloit,” he said. “I've done a lot for Beloit, and I love to live here.”
Though he won't be far, he'll be missed in the courthouse.
“He's a fantastic guy,” said Carla Hanson, a court reporter who's worked with Marsden throughout his entire tenure. “He's always got a smile on his face, and he's a good, hard worker.”
He deserves a rest, she said.
“He's going to be very much missed around here, but he deserves to retire,” she said. “We're all going to be sad to see him leave.”
It was a 2001 first-degree homicide trial. When the verdict was read for Tywon Barber, a Beloit man who'd been accused of murdering a 19-year-old, and the jury found him not guilty, the courtroom filled with disruption.
“It was very scary because one side of the courtroom was filled with (Barber's) friends, and the other side was filled with his victim's friends,” Marsden remembered. “When the verdict came in, it was the one time in my life I was concerned.”
There was pandemonium in the courtroom, he said.
And preventing and controlling such pandemonium is Marsden's job, as it has been since 1986. Marsden has served as a court bailiff for the Rock County Courthouse for more than 22 years. At 76 years old, not only is he well-known around the courthouse, he's well-liked.
But on May 30, he'll call it a day and retire.
Marsden, of Beloit, has served as Circuit Court Judge Michael Byron's bailiff since Byron began his job in 1991. Before that, he served Circuit Court Judge Gerald Jaeckle, who hired Marsden in 1986. As far as court bailiffs go in Rock County, Marsden has outlasted them all.
“As well as I've done in this job, it's because of the good people that I've worked with,” Marsden said. “I like what I do. I like the people I work with. From the judge, to the assistants, to the court reporter, we're a team.”
He's been blessed, he said, but it's time to go.
“It's a pleasure to come to work, but I'm older now and it's time for me to retire,” he said.
But just as he's been a busy man on the job, he'll continue to be busy in retirement.
He's a lifelong resident of Beloit, married a local girl 54 years ago, he said, and has been active in the community his entire life, especially in politics.
He served on the Beloit City Council in 1970, and in the time since served on the School District of Beloit Board of Education, the Rock County Board of Supervisors, the Blackhawk Technical College Board and Beloit's Fire and Police Commission. He said he's likely to be appointed to another Beloit committee this month.
“When I retire I'm going to do some more volunteer work,” he said.
He's interested in volunteer opportunities at both Beloit Memorial Hospital and with the Caritas organization. He's also still a charter member of the Town of Turtle volunteer fire department.
After his retirement his loyalties will still lie with Beloit.
“We love Beloit,” he said. “I've done a lot for Beloit, and I love to live here.”
Though he won't be far, he'll be missed in the courthouse.
“He's a fantastic guy,” said Carla Hanson, a court reporter who's worked with Marsden throughout his entire tenure. “He's always got a smile on his face, and he's a good, hard worker.”
He deserves a rest, she said.
“He's going to be very much missed around here, but he deserves to retire,” she said. “We're all going to be sad to see him leave.”
 |
 |
|
| Rotary Clubs fight hunger | South Beloit to give funds to Visit Beloit |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of beloitdailynews.com.
Submit a Comment
Login below to post your comment. |
Not yet a member? Use the form below to register. |
