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A leading Republican official tragically perished in a house fire in Kentucky after he heroically saved his wife.
Reports said that Tom Emberton, a former Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge, died in the early Thursday morning blaze. Local officials said that the fire was discovered around 3:30 a.m. at the home in Edmonton, Ky.
Metcalfe County Coroner Larry Wilson said that Emberton helped his wife get out of the home and he went back inside for some reason. But he never came back out, CBS News reported.
Kentucky Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. announced Emberton’s death during his State of the Judiciary, according to spokesperson Leigh Anne Hiatt. Edmonton Mayor Doug Smith told reporters that the fire was accidental.
“Tom heroically made certain his wife Julia made it to safety but lost his life during his effort to save their home,” Smith told WBKO-TV in Bowling Green. “Tom was just the greatest guy in the world to be around. He was infectious to everybody. He had a way about him that was really special.”
Smith added in a statement: “Today, Kentucky lost a great father, husband, friend and statesman in a tragic accidental house fire. Tom heroically made certain his wife Julia made it to safety but lost his life during his effort to save their home. Tom Emberton was a treasured son of Metcalfe County Kentucky, having served as a lawyer and chief judge of the Ky. Court of appeals. He was the Republican candidate for Governor in 1971. He was a friend to many and always a champion of South Central Ky. His wisdom, kindness and always sage advice was an encouragement to all.
“As a relative of Henry Clay, his ability to mediate and compromise came naturally, an attribute that would serve our country well at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Julia, his daughter Laura Emberton Owens and son Tom Emberton Jr. and the entire Emberton family. Tom Emberton Jr. and his sister Laura Owens would like to thank the community and especially the first responders for their professionalism, quick response and kindness during this challenging time for their family,” the statement added.
Born in 1777, Henry Clay was the ninth U.S. secretary of state and also served stints in the U.S. House and Senate.
A Facebook post by local outlet the Edmonton Herald-News noted: “Fire consumes home of Thomas Dale Emberton and search continues for his body. An officer patrolling saw flames at 4:53 a.m. and the Edmonton Fire Department arrived on the scene at 5:13 a.m. The house was already on the ground. Family has been notified. Emberton is a retired Kentucky politician and judge who was the Republican nominee for Governor in the 1971 election.
CBS News noted further:
Emberton, a lawyer from Metcalfe County, ran for governor in 1971, losing in the general election to then Lt. Governor Wendell Ford.
He was appointed to the Court of Appeals in 1987. He was reelected twice and also served as chief judge of the appellate court until he retired in 2004, U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said.
“Tom gave me one of my earliest experiences in the rough and tumble reality of political campaigning, hiring me to work on his 1971 gubernatorial campaign,” a somber McConnell noted in a statement. “He taught me valuable lessons on public service and running as a statewide Republican in Kentucky.”
“According to his alma mater, Western Kentucky University, Emberton enrolled at the school after a four-year tour of duty with the United States Air Force. After graduating from WKU, Emberton was accepted to the University of Louisville School of Law in 1959,” CBS News reported.
“In 2007, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet named a bridge in Metcalfe County in his honor, the university said,” the report added.
Locals mourned the death of the former judge.
“Such a sad day….he was the perfect southern gentleman. So nice, so kind and so smart,” one wrote on Facebook.
“I’ve known Big Tom, Julia Lee and their family my entire life. This is heartbreaking,” another said.
“This hurts my heart. Such a good, genuine man. Many prayers for the family,” added another.
