Eighty-eight combined years of service were recognized Monday as court officials honored three outgoing chief magistrates and welcomed the three new chiefs.

“Obviously, 88 years of combined chief magistrate experience is an extraordinary amount of institutional knowledge that I wanted to capture before it was lost, to be able to transfer to the next generation of chief magistrates and all of the other magistrates who will continue to serve our judicial districts,” Chief District Court Judge Theresa R. Freeman said in Halifax. “Although I hate to see these three chiefs leave the fold, the number 8 in that total 88 years of combined service symbolizes new beginnings and embarking upon a new era.”

Halifax County Senior Superior Court Judge Brenda Branch presented plaques to the outgoing chiefs — Cynthia W. Moore, Cynthia D. Pitchford, and Lindora Williams. “I was excited to have such qualified people to select. It was a tough task because these chiefs that are coming in were there at that time, but we made our choices and we’re so excited for all of the work that you have provided.”

Branch said the three were great examples of what magistrates should be. “You are judges. You carry yourselves as judges. There was never a question as to whether you were a professional, whether you were upholding the rule of law as prescribed to you. I appreciated the fact that you made me a better judge. You gave me relief that you were so able to handle situations that came before you.”

To the incoming chiefs, Branch said, “You all have large shoes to fill once you’re appointed because these ladies are the epitome of the very best chiefs you can find.”

Moore thanked Branch for the confidence she had in her. “It is the toughest job, and I say this to the incoming chiefs — it’s the toughest job you will ever love. You sacrifice a lot with it, but you’ve got to love the job in order to do it.”

Williams thanked the judges for the opportunity while Pitchford said it was a bittersweet day for her. “I would like to thank the late Honorable Richard Allsbrook for appointing me as a magistrate — the first African American female magistrate for our county. I would like to thank Judge Branch for appointing me as the first chief magistrate.”

It’s not an easy job, Pitchford said. “It has been challenging — very challenging. Thank you to my fellow chief magistrates. We all work together, looking out for one another.”

Michael Morris is the new chief magistrate for Bertie County and began his career in the criminal justice system in 2000. He has been a police officer and member of the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office and served as a magistrate in Pasquotank County for four years. He has served as a magistrate in Bertie County for the past eight years.

Vicky Bennett was named new chief magistrate for Northampton County. She has 12 years of service as a magistrate and is also an educator as well as a member of several key state boards.

Judy Smith was named chief magistrate of Halifax County and after a long career that began in 1979, she became a magistrate in 1999 — a role Freeman said she has continued to serve for the past 27 years.

Freeman said that she made all the chief magistrate decisions based on seniority. “I’m confident in their respective abilities to serve and to lead their respective offices in keeping the scales of justice undamaged.”