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Judicial Pioneer Honored

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By JANIS D. FROELICH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 23, 2008

Updated: 01/22/2008 11:57 pm

TAMPA - About 100 people came to the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse on Tuesday for the unveiling of a bronze bust of Edgecomb, Hillsborough County's first black judge.

Edgecomb, who died of leukemia in 1976 at age 33 after serving less than three years on the bench, also was the first black to serve as assistant county solicitor and assistant state attorney.

His namesake courthouse, 800 E. Twiggs St., was dedicated in January 2004.

Allison Edgecomb, who was 5 when her father died, said it was an honor to pose for the bust, sculpted by Harrison Covington.

"She looks just like her father," said Doretha Edgecomb, the judge's widow and a Hillsborough County School Board member.

Allison Edgecomb, assistant principal at Benito Middle School, said it was the first time she had posed for artwork.

"But the artist really listened to all my family's concerns and did it just right," she said.

The county paid $45,000 for the bust, including installation.

Covington said he wanted the bust to depict more of the judge than the usual head and shoulders.

So it shows Edgecomb rising out of a rock to show his reputation for integrity. He holds a book labeled simply "law."

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