Son of Daviess Co. Family Court judge removed from office for trying to influence court cases involving him dies of overdose at Daviess Co. Jail

An inmate at the Daviess County Detention Center died of a drug overdose.

Dalton Gordon, 28, was found unresponsive in his cell on the morning of August 20. Jail staff and EMS performed life-saving measures, but Gordan was pronounced deceased.

The inmate was being held alone in a cell. There were no signs of foul play or suicide, WFIE.com reports.

Gordon was booked into the facility the day before he died.

Kentucky State Police Trooper Corey King told WFIE.com on Wednesday that Gordon’s cause of death was “acute (multi-drug) intoxication.”

According to Gordon’s obituary, he was the son of former Daviess County Family Court Judge Julie Hawes Gordon.

As K105 previously reported, Julie Hawes Gordon was removed from the bench in April 2022 for abusing her position, in particular for attempting to influence criminal cases involving Dalton Gordon. She first took office in 2017.

The Judicial Conduct Commission voted unanimously to permanently remove Gordon, writing that she abused her position “over an extended period of time and over her entire tenure as judge,” The Messenger-Inquirer reported.

The conduct commission panel found that Gordon tried to arrange for the release of her son and tried to influence both the judge and prosecutor in his case to get the outcomes she wanted. Commissioners also found Gordon had used her position to get special visitation with her son while he was incarcerated in the Daviess County Detention Center and had appointed her son’s defense attorney as a paid guardian ad litem (a guardian appointed to act in a lawsuit on behalf of a person who is not considered capable of representing themselves) in family court where she presided.

Outside of the abuses involving her son’s criminal case, the commission found that Gordon retaliated against social workers in her courtroom and was untruthful with the Judicial Conduct Commission.

“There is no doubt that she has brought the integrity and respect for the judiciary within Daviess County into disrepute,” Commission Chairman Carroll “Trip” Redford III wrote.

Dalton Gordon’s obituary at Glenn Family Services says:

Dalton spent much of his childhood in foster care, an experience that shaped both his struggles and his strength. Life was never easy for him, yet he faced obstacles with courage, always striving to find his way forward. He was open about his hardships, and his honesty often inspired those who knew him.

He will be remembered for his quick wit and humor, which made others feel comfortable and valued. Dalton loved playing frisbee with family and friends, spending time in nature, and cared deeply for animals. He especially cherished time with his siblings, always wanting to be involved in their lives. His intelligence, curiosity, and childlike wonder remained with him throughout adulthood.

Dalton also used his life experiences to help others. His years in foster care inspired him to become a powerful advocate for disadvantaged and foster youth. He spoke before legislators in Washington, D.C., successfully advocating for the passage of the Families First Preservation Services Act, which lets states use federal child welfare funds for services like counseling, substance use treatment, and parenting support to keep children safely with their families and out of foster care. In 2016; Dalton was honored with the National Coalition for Juvenile Justice’s Spirit of Youth Award for his courage and advocacy.

Dalton will be remembered as a sweet, sensitive, thoughtful, loving brother, son, and friend. He touched many lives with his humor, compassion, and determination, leaving behind a legacy of perseverance and hope.

(Photo l-r: Former Daviess Family Court Judge Julie Hawes Gordon, Dalton Gordon, courtesy of Glenn Family Services)

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com