Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge D. Scott Bowling was a hero. He was an example of how a person should be, showing massive courage in the face of insurmountable odds.

As the county grieves his death, the county also has an important duty that it must take as seriously as anything— who is to take his place. At first that must seem like an impossibility. Not only was he a judge with a fine legal mind, he was a person of great decency. He lived his faith every day of his life.

Since his death occurred more than 40 days before the general election in November, that judgeship will be on the ballot in the fall.

The procedure is that the Gov. John Kasich will make an immediate appointment. But after that, both parties have the opportunity to nominate their candidates. This is how our democracy works.

Again, while the community mourns the loss of Judge Bowling, both parties must also take time to find representatives from their respective sides of the aisle who are worthy to take on the mantle of Judge Bowling.

Party affiliation shouldn’t matter. We must fill this position with a solid person who is a fine attorney and of great integrity. The legacy of Judge Bowling deserves as much and the county needs that much.