District Judge Sally Tarnowski of St. Louis County, Florida, who championed addressing the mental health needs of those who entered her courtroom, passed away on Monday after being hit by a car in Venice, Florida, according to her family.
Since early 2007, Tarnowski, 63, has presided as a judge in St. Louis County, having been chosen by Governor Tim Pawlenty. From 2016 to 2020, she served as the Sixth Judicial District’s chief judge. Her first election was in 2008, and her current term ends in 2027. She will continue to preside over cases later this week, according to the St. Louis County Sixth District court calendar.
The Tarnowski family declined to make any further remarks.
Deb Holman, an outreach specialist for Churches United in Ministry (CHUM) and the Human Development Center, first met Tarnowski when he served as a judge in the early versions of the St. Louis County Mental Health Court, which is constantly changing. Tarnowski was someone who had an open door and was willing to extend an invitation, according to Holman, who acted as a liaison between the legal system and some of the participants. According to Holman, Tarnowski was stern in a kind way while also having empathy and compassion.
Tarnowski was born and raised in Duluth, graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth, and then enrolled at Mitchell Hamline School of Law (formerly William Mitchell College of Law). She was the pinnacle of public service, Mitchell Hamline said in a statement about the 1986 graduate.
Former St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin described Tarnowski as a friend — in addition to a former colleague. She was vivacious with a wonderful laugh and an obvious joy for life. She biked to work, he said, even sometimes in inclement weather.
“If you appeared in front of her, you might not agree with the result, but you really respected the way she went about making her decision and the way she treated the defendant and the victims and everyone in the courtroom,” Rubin said.
DULUTH – St. Louis County District Judge Sally Tarnowski, a champion of addressing the mental health needs of people who came through her courtroom, died Monday when she was struck by a vehicle while out running in Venice, Fla., according to her family.
Tarnowski, 63, has served as a judge in St. Louis County since early 2007, after she was appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. She was chief judge of the Sixth Judicial District from 2016-2020. She was first elected in 2008 and her term runs through 2027. The St. Louis County Sixth District court calendar still shows her presiding over cases later this week.
Tarnowski’s family did not have further comment.
Deb Holman, an outreach worker who works for Churches United in Ministry (CHUM) and the Human Development Center, encountered Tarnowski as a judge in early iterations of the ever-evolving St. Louis County Mental Health Court. Holman, who served as a liaison between the court system and some participants, found in Tarnowski someone with an open door and ready invitation. Tarnowski had empathy and compassion, Holman said, but was also stern in a kind way.
Tarnowski grew up in Duluth and graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth before attending William Mitchell College of Law — now Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Mitchell Hamline issued a public statement on the 1986 graduate: “She was the epitome of the public service we aim to instill in our schools,” according to a Facebook post.
Former St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin described Tarnowski as a friend — in addition to a former colleague. She was vivacious with a wonderful laugh and an obvious joy for life. She biked to work, he said, even sometimes in inclement weather.
“If you appeared in front of her, you might not agree with the result, but you really respected the way she went about making her decision and the way she treated the defendant and the victims and everyone in the courtroom,” Rubin said.
Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Gildea said everyone within the Minnesota courts community was devastated by the loss.
“Beyond her exemplary service to Minnesota, Judge Tarnowski was a vibrant person whose commitment to justice shined through in everything she did,” Gildea said in a statement.
Tarnowski pushed for mental health treatment court and supported early neutral evaluation in family court to ease resolving custody cases, according to a news release from the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Starting in 2015, she began working alongside UMD’s Center for Regional and Tribal Child Welfare Studies to create the Indian Child Welfare Court in Duluth.
“Judge Tarnowski approached her work with tenacity and dedication,” Sixth District Chief Judge Leslie Beiers said in a statement. “Her loss will be deeply felt by all of us in the Sixth District, and by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.”
Services are pending.
