Giffords Remembers Judge, Friend At Courthouse Dedication

By Stephanie Sanchez, KAWC
Published: Friday, April 25, 2014 - 12:19pm
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YUMA, Arizona — A new federal courthouse was dedicated Thursday in Yuma in honor of U.S. District Chief Judge John Roll, who was killed in the 2011 Tucson attack on Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

Roll was killed along with five others at a town hall event for Giffords in January 2011. An early proponent for a federal courthouse in Yuma, his name now graces a new 56,800 square foot facility in Yuma’s downtown.

Giffords, who was injured in the attack, spoke at the dedication and remembered Roll as the leading force behind the Yuma courthouse, and as a friend.

"Like John Roll, get involved with your community, be a leader, set an example, be passionate, be courageous, be your best," Giffords said.

The John M. Roll United States Federal Courthouse is expected to support an increasing demand for criminal and immigration proceedings in the border region.

More than 40 members of the Roll family were on hand for the dedication ceremony, along with more than 400 dignitaries. In attendance were Arizona Sen. John McCain and Congressman Ron Barber, who was also shot in the Tucson attack but survived to take over Gifford’s seat in Congress.