Loss of a Good Man: Judge Tom Broome
Article by Featured Author
Posted June 2023
The judiciary of Mississippi suffered a tough loss in late May when Rankin County Judge Tom Broome passed away. Judge Broome was a dedicated public servant who spent over 20 years on the bench. One of his primary focuses was on the protection of children. He was the co-chair of the Mississippi Supreme Court’s Commission on Children’s Justice since it started in 2006. He was also on the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. He started the Rankin County Juvenile Drug Court and also a family drug court program that was unique within the state.
If you were ever in front of Judge Broome, or even around him at an event, you were influenced by his fantastic attitude, great sense of humor and his desire to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable. I appeared in front of him numerous times and served on Bar Committees with him. He always made me smile when he’d come up to me and say “Hey, Manuel, how’re you doing?”
Judge Broome was a lifelong Rankin County resident and valedictorian of Pearl High School. He was a fellow Bulldog graduating with highest honors with a degree in mechanical engineering. He attended MC Law, where he was on Law Review, the Moot Court Board and was twice the President of the Law School Student Bar Association.
In a time when we need more good and kind people in government, Judge Broome was a perfect example of what we should seek. He had a keen sense of justice, but more importantly, he had a giant heart and a good soul. He will be greatly missed.