St. Joseph County honors Magistrate Judge Andre Gammage on retirement

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on April 29 adopted a resolution honoring Magistrate Judge Andre Gammage as he retires after 12 years on the bench and presented him with the key to the county.

The resolution recognized Gammage’s service in the Saint Joseph County Circuit Court, his prior work as a deputy prosecuting attorney and in private practice, his leadership of the county’s protective order court and veterans court, and his role in a county expungement initiative that the resolution said has processed more than 1,500 criminal record expungements in partnership with the prosecutor’s office and the University of Notre Dame Law School.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve Resolution R‑8‑C‑2025. President, St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, called for the motion and the roll call recorded “Aye” votes from Commissioner Horton, Commissioner Hazen and Commissioner Maxmeyer.

In remarks after the resolution, Gammage said he tried to make the courtroom “a place where people felt comfortable and confident and that they were gonna be heard.” He thanked the board and said his planned retirement will allow him to continue other community work. “I pledged to continue to do everything I can to be able to make this community a better place,” he said.

The board’s proclamation also listed Gammage’s civic involvement, including teaching trial advocacy at the University of Notre Dame School of Law, service on statewide judicial education committees, and membership on local nonprofit boards and faith organizations. Commissioners and attendees took photos and presented additional recognition including the key to the county.

No other formal actions were tied to the resolution; the vote was recorded as an approval of the proclamation.