FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): A longtime local judge will be retiring from the bench at the end of the year.

Allen Superior Court Judge John Surbeck will step down on December 31st, concluding a 47-year career in law. Surbeck spent the past two days informing colleagues around the state of his plans, including Indiana Supreme Court Justice Loretta Rush.

“It has been one of my life’s great privileges to be a part of the judiciary, doing a job I love in a community I love,” Surbeck said. “Many young lawyers aspire to a judgeship, and I’m one of the lucky few who got the opportunity. There is no more fulfilling work than that of delivering justice fairly and impartially. I’m grateful for the chance to have served.”

Surbeck is currently the Chief Judge of the Allen Superior Court. He was appointed in 1988 and re-elected five times, and has been responsible for launching the County’s Re-Entry Court program and a statewide pilot program that develops alternatives to money bail for low-risk arrestees.

Surbeck’s replacement will be appointed by Governor Eric Holcomb, and will serve the remainder of his term, which ends on December 31st, 2020.