Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on March 7, 2013

Executive ADA Receives Honor

Sligh Honored For Dedication To Duty

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown presented Executive Assistant District Attorney Jesse Sligh with the William Tucker Garvin Public Service Award in celebration of Black History Month during a ceremony at the D.A.s Kew Gardens office last Wednesday, Feb. 20. Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, in celebration of Black History Month, presented last Wednesday, Feb. 20, the 2013 William Tucker Garvin Public Service Award to Executive Assistant District Attorney Jesse J. Sligh.

The William Tucker Garvin Public Service Award was established in 2001 when Brown held a ceremony to honor the memory of Garvin, the first African-American Assistant District Attorney appointed in Queens County. Since then, the award has been presented annually during Black History Month to an individual of African-American heritage in recognition of his or her notable contributions to public service.

During Black History Month, we remember the many, outstanding achievements that African-Ameri- cans have contributed to the history of our nation and our county, said Brown. William Tucker Garvin was one such individual, whose accomplishments and service to others are to be regarded as exemplary in any time, in any season. He may not have purposely set out to spearhead social reform but in choosing to better himself and his family and to live a life with purpose he paved the way for future African-Americans who followed in his footsteps.

Equally, this years recipient, Jesse Sligh, is truly deserving of the honor that we bestow on him, Brown added. Not only does he embody Bill Garvins sense of spirit and dedication, but his own leadership and sense of public service over the years has motivated and inspired many and he continues to make profound positive contributions to the community of Queens.

Like Garvin, Sligh was born in South Carolina, grew up in a large, close-knit family, and, at an early age, assumed the mantle of responsibility as a provider for the family and for the care of his siblings. Sligh attended elementary and high school in Philadelphia and was the first member of his family to attend college.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from Columbia University, Sligh went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center where he edited the Black Law Journal and was a member of both the Student Bar Association and the Black Law Student Association.

Sligh began his legal career serving his country as a captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate Generals Corps. During his three-year tour of duty in Germany, he held various positions including that of prosecutor, defense attorney, legal assistance office and chief of military justice and earned an exemplary trial record.

Following his discharge from the Army, Sligh joined the Queens District Attorneys office in September 1982, where he has served as a trial assistant in the Supreme Court and Major Offense Bureaus, deputy chief of the Felony Waiver Bureau, chief of the Intake Bureau and executive assistant district attorney for case processing. He was appointed to his present position, executive assistant district attorney for special prosecutions in November 1991 by the thennewly elected Brown.

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Executive ADA Receives Honor

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month
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