The leader of Henderson County has died. Judge-Executive Hugh McCormick announced last week that he would have a cancerous tumor removed from his lung.
Two days later, the surgery was performed and he was placed in intensive care at a hospital, where he passed away Thursday. Magistrate George Warren was surprised and saddened by the news.
"Doctors told him they found the cancer in the early stages," Warren told WKU Public Radio. "What ended up happening was that they had to remove a complete lung, and because of other health conditions, breathing on his own was the issue. Subsequent to the surgery, we were very optimistic that he would be coming back."
The 58-year-old McCormick served Henderson County more than 25 years, first as a magistrate, and then as judge-executive. Colleagues remember him as someone who wasn't afraid to make touch decisions while always keeping the county's best interests in mind.
The fiscal court will meet in special session Saturday to choose a magistrate to serve as interim judge-executive. Governor Bevin has 30 days to make an appointment and that person will serve until the November general election.