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S.A.F.E. House founder serves as namesake for Proctor Judicial Park

After serving as a police officer, judge and philanthropist, Ken Proctor was recently honored by becoming the most recent namesake for a park in Henderson.

“My dad wasn’t just your hero,” said Kimberly Proctor, his youngest daughter. “He was our hero, too.”

More than 100 people gathered Jan. 22 at the park next to the Henderson Justice Court, 243 S. Water St., for the unveiling of the Proctor Judicial Park.

City officials and judges, many of whom worked alongside Ken Proctor, gathered to honor the longtime public servant for the things he has done in the community.

Proctor, who has pancreatic cancer, was unable to attend the ceremony because of his health condition.

“If my dad were here, he would have been teary-eyed and choked up,” Kathy Proctor, another of his daughters, said as she fought back tears. “When I talked to him, he said he was almost embarrassed. That’s my dad.”

She added that he would have been humbled to see the turnout for the event.

Proctor was diagnosed with cancer two years ago.

“But he is a fighter,” Kimberly Proctor added. “This experience has made our family stronger.”

Board members of S.A.F.E. House, which he founded, knew they wanted a way to honor his legacy.

Judge Mark Stevens said the city judges rallied to get the park named for him.

“He was a lifelong public servant committed to the safety of our city and nation,” Stevens said.

Proctor served in the United States Marine Corps from 1964 to 1970.

“It included a tour in Vietnam,” Stevens said. “He received an honorable discharge with the rank of corporal.”

He then moved to Ontario, Calif., to work as a police officer.

While there, he completed his police science degree.

He moved to Henderson to work as a police officer, climbing the ranks to sergeant before leaving in 1978.

“Then he went to work in the business community,” Stevens said.

In 1991, he was appointed to Judge Pro Tem to the Henderson Municipal Court before being elected as a judge to Municipal Court Department 1 in 1993.

“He served until 2007,” Stevens said. “During that time, he was named Judge of the Year in 2002.”

Proctor was also active in the community.

In 1994, he and his wife Julie founded S.A.F.E. House, which was designed to help victims of domestic violence.

“It was the first emergency shelter to help domestic violence victims in Henderson,” Stevens said.

Stevens gave a proclamation to Julie, the executive director for S.A.F.E House, before introducing the park.

“I was in the judge’s court for seven years as a prosecutor, and one thing he liked for me to do is for me to talk too much,” Stevens said giving the audience a little chuckle before he unveiled the park’s sign. “I just want to thank him for his public service.”

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 702-387-5201.

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