Remembering Ross Alderman

On Saturday, while riding his motorcycle on Old Hillsboro Road with a friend, Ross Alderman lost his life when an oncoming car came into his lane and struck him.

The city of Nashville has lost someone truly special.

Alderman, 56, is survived by Patricia J. Cottrell, a judge on the Tennessee Court of Appeals, and a son, Noah. He served as Public Defender for Metro Nashville-Davidson County. He moved into that job in November of 1999 when his then-boss, current Mayor Karl Dean, took over as legal director for the city.

Prior to taking the position, Alderman had served as deputy public defender for seven years but had been with office for over 20 years. Before that, he was an assistant United States attorney and an Assistant Federal Public Defender.

The role of public defender is perhaps one of the most difficult of all elected positions in city government. You do your job well and many in the city don't appreciate it. This past mayoral election, Dean was criticized because an opposing campaign thought he had done too good a job when he was public defender.

Each person, regardless of their station in life, is promised equal protection under the law. Alderman and all those who work in the public defender’s office are the last line of defense for those who can least afford legal representation.

Alderman, and his staff, had and have to make sure that each of their charges are afforded their constitutional rights — their inalienable rights. That guarantee means everyone should be treated as equals in the eyes of justice no matter their tax bracket or their offense.

Today, many in Nashville are grieving. In conversations with his staff, many who are understandably shaken, they wanted to let everyone know that they will carry on Alderman's vision and determination. They said his leadership may have been cut short, but his legacy will be that of ensuring justice for the least among us.

What follows are comments solicited from those who knew him, either personally or professionally.

Mayor Karl Dean

"Ross Alderman was an outstanding public servant. He was totally committed to excellence in the performance of the Public Defender’s Office’s crucial role in the criminal justice systems. Ross was devoted to the lawyers and other members of the Public Defender’s staff.

Ross was an excellent trial lawyer. He was intelligent, fearless and highly ethical.

Ross and I worked together for many years in the Public Defender's Office. When I was the Public Defender, I created the position of Deputy Public Defender and asked Ross to take the position. I valued his friendship, his legal skills and his ability to be a mentor to young attorneys. I relied on his excellent judgment.

Ross has served as the Public Defender since 1999. He did an outstanding job. He was a strong leader and advocate for the office. Ross worked with other agencies and departments to improve the criminal justice systems as a whole. Judges, district attorneys, police officers and others respected his thoughtfulness and sound judgment.

On a personal level, Ross will be remembered for his dry wit, sincerity and his wide-range of interests. Ross was a very hard worker. He was almost always the first person to arrive at the Public Defender’s office, or any other Metro office, in morning.

Ross is the thread that runs through the modern history of the Public Defender’s Office. My thoughts are with his wife, Patsy and son, Noah.

My thoughts are also with the staff of the Public Defender's Office. They will miss him enormously.

As a city, we owe him deep thanks for his matchless dedication to justice and public service. It was a privilege to have been his friend and colleague."

Sheriff Daron Hall

“I have heard and although I am out of town, it has stunned me.

Ross was one of my favorite people and a person that I admired greatly. I would often go to him for advice and I could expect two things: an honest assessment and a very rational response. Even on subjects that he did not like "politics" I would discuss things that really bothered me or that would make other elected officials angry but with Ross he was the voice of reason.

The people he really cared about are those he chose to represent — those without a voice. Ross gave them a voice and also gave them a chance. No one will ever know all the good that was done for the often forgotten in our community by Ross Alderman. And I believe he would be fine with that. That's the kind of person he was. “the public defender” says it all. This city lost much more than an elected official, it lost a true servant.

I will miss my friend, mentor and the person who made this world and its people better for having known Ross Alderman.”

Congressman Jim Cooper

"Nashville has lost an honest, approachable leader, a hardworking professional and an advocate for anyone seeking a fair hearing in our justice system. We lost a good soul.

Ross was a dedicated public servant and a wonderful guy. One thing that's always struck me about the Nashville public defender's office under his leadership is how motivated and loyal his employees are, often under tough circumstances. It's a strong office full of dedicated attorneys -- what a great legacy he leaves. We'll miss him."

Justice Connie Clark, Tennessee Supreme Court

"It's hard to find the adjectives to describe him, he was a consummate professional —beloved by the people who worked with him and for him. He was good at everything but a humble person. As devoted as he was to his work, the love and devotion shared in his family was inspirational to us all. He wouldn’t have described himself as a hero, but that is what he was.”

Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper

"I had tremendous respect for Ross. He was an outstanding lawyer and administrator. He made an invaluable contribution to justice in Davidson County and was a true public servant in every sense of the word."

Bill Farmer, Nashville attorney and close friend of the Alderman family

"I have known Ross for over 30 years. I hired him as an assistant federal public defender in the ‘70s. He had the best work ethic of anyone I ever worked with. He had a passion for public service. He was a true advocate for the poor. He had never run a contested race until a couple of years ago. He turned out to be the real candidate. He actually ran proudly on his record with no apologies for fighting for the rights of the poor. He won. He was the best mentor of young lawyers in the city. He believed in his work and was generous always with his time.

I traveled extensively with him over the years. He loved traveling reading justice and his family. He will be terribly missed."

Bill Purcell, former Mayor of Nashville

"Ross Alderman was the trusted leader. His only desire was to serve, and he committed himself completely to those who needed him most, no matter the risk or the cost. In an office with a history of excellence, Ross Alderman is today the model for the Public Defender, and he always will be."

George Barrett, Nashville attorney

"The tragic and untimely death of Ross is a real loss to the legal community and the community at large. He was a fine lawyer dedicated to equal justice for all, who will be greatly missed, and hard to replace."

Bill Phillips, former Deputy Mayor of Nashville

"Ross was the ultimate public servant. He cared deeply about doing the best possible job on behalf of his clients and he was equally dedicated to serving the taxpayers well. He balanced a difficult challenge with great finesse."

Patty Daniel, attorney and former law clerk of Alderman

"He was such a good man — one of the "legal giants" I really believed in, looked up to, and hoped to be like one day. I was blessed enough to spend some time one summer at the Public Defender's office. I will never forget the time I was completely lost in a research project, and it must have been written on my face. He came up to me, offered to help, and then spent at least half an hour going over exactly what I needed to do, step by step. He did all this despite his incredibly busy schedule, on his own. He was a patient teacher, and he treated me like I was his equal colleague, not the confused and bewildered 1L that I was. He was the impossible combination of being a true legal master, so respected, who had achieved so much in his career, who at the same time was one of the most approachable, down to earth lawyers I've ever met. He didn't try to intimidate, and he didn't demand respect — he just naturally and very easily earned it from everyone around him. You just couldn't help but admire him. He was just the real deal. It was obvious how much he truly believed in what he did — a genuine public servant."

Metro Councilman Ronnie Steine

"Ross Alderman was a superb public servant. He chose a difficult job and did it with strong advocacy and excellent management. Ross was one of the true stars of our community's legal system. However, his loss will be felt well beyond community service and professionalism. He will always be remembered for his gentle manner; his subtle sense of humor: and his loyalty. In short, Ross was a wonderful friend."

Billy Fields

“Ross was a very compassionate person who took great pride in his service to our community. He was a quiet leader who fought for justice with great dignity and professionalism. People like him do not come along very often and I know that I, and all those who knew him, will miss him greatly.”

Visitation will be Monday at Belmont United Methodist Church from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and again Tuesday from 2 to 3 p.m. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. at BUMC on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all memorials be contributed to the Ross Alderman Indigent Defense Foundation, Trustee bill Hubbard, 201 4th ave North, Suite 1420, Nashville, 37219.