Thomas Wine was first elected as the Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorney in 2012.

LOUISVILLE, Ky., (WDRB) -- Tom Wine, Louisville's top prosecutor since 2012 and previously a long-time judge, has died after a brief illness. 

Wine was known for his wry sense of humor, Christian faith, and easygoing nature both on and off the bench. Wine, 67, was a married father of two. 

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed Wine's death on Twitter: "I am saddened to learn of the passing of Tom Wine. Tom served our city as Commonwealth Attorney with honor, dedication and compassion. Rachel and I send our deepest sympathy to Tom's family. May his memory be a blessing."

The announcement Saturday came as a shock to his prosecutors within the Commonwealth's Attorney's office as Wine had only been sick for a couple of weeks or so. Sources close to Wine said he had recently been diagnosed with cancer. 

The office released a statement from First Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Erwin Roberts noting that Wine died "after a brief illness.

"... For over 40 years, Wine professionally served the citizens of Jefferson County with honor and integrity, and he will be greatly missed. Wine's family asks for privacy during this very difficult time. Please keep the Wine family in your thoughts and prayers."

Wine was elected as the Jefferson Commonwealth's Attorney in November 2012 after spending about two decades as a judge, including six years with the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

Denise Clayton, who served as a circuit court and appeals court judge with Wine and worked with him on the racial fairness commission for years, said he was a "very kind, nice guy.

"He was fun to be around, a prankster," she said. "He was also very attentive to his work, dedicated to doing a good job. ... He was a man of integrity, a person of skill, a person that was concerned with the community."

Former Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Charles Cunningham said Wine was a hard worker who knew how to manage people.

"I think the community has suffered a huge loss," said Cunningham, who was part of a group of former judges, including Wine, that met for coffee on Saturdays.

"He wasn't wound too tight, which didn't mean he didn't think about stuff," Cunningham said. "He knew what he thought was the appropriate path."

Rep. Morgan McGarvey, a Democrat who represents Louisville, said in a tweet that "I’m very sad to hear of Tom Wine’s passing. A lifelong advocate for the law and dedicated man of faith, he served our community in countless ways."

In 2021, Mitch McConnell recommended that President Biden nominate Wine as the next U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky. There was also speculation that Wine would make a run for Kentucky Attorney General.

"Elaine & I are saddened to learn of the passing of our friend, Tom Wine," McConnell said in a Tweet. "As Commonwealth Attorney, he believed deeply in the rule of law. A wise and thoughtful man, he was well-respected for his professionalism & legal judgement. My condolences to Tom’s family."

After serving out his first term, Wine was elected to continue as Jefferson Commonwealth's Attorney in 2018. That term was set to expire on Jan. 5, 2025.

In 2018, when no one filed to run against him, Wine wrote on his Facebook page: 

"I received several text asking who filed against me for Commonwealth's Attorney. The answer is no one! A retired judge friend of mine quipped 'Either people think you’re doing a good job, or no one wants your job!' I took a step of faith 6 years ago when I resigned from the bench to run for a job that is no walk in the park.

"The success of the Office of Commonwealth's Attorney is really due to the prosecutors and support staff who work there. I am grateful to work with a group of professionals who love this community and work every day to the best of their ability to do a great job."

Wine was involved in several professional and community groups, including as a Boy Scout leader, running a book drive that gave more than 3,000 books to children, and serving for years on the Jefferson County Racial Fairness Committee, among others. 

"He really was someone you could count on to have the compass set on trying to do the right thing," said Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Angela Bisig, who worked with Wine as a circuit court judge "Tom Wine was truly a good man. An exemplary public servant. ... It is so shocking. So very sad. He was excited to be a new grandfather" 

The Louisville Bar Association said they were "shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of our friend and colleague."

"Tom was a longtime member of our Board of Directors and a great supporter of our organization, and he will be greatly missed. His legacy in our local legal community is undeniable. Tom has been a mentor to hundreds of attorneys, and he truly set the standard for serving your community with integrity and compassion.

"We owe him a great debt of gratitude for his long and distinguished career in public service, his unwavering support of our legal and criminal justice communities, and most of all, for his friendship. Our thoughts are with Tom's friends and family during this difficult time."

Wine graduated from the University of Louisville School of Law in 1980. He was awarded prosecutor of the year in 1982 with the Commonwealth's Attorney’s office. 

In 1984, he went on to serve as chief of the Leviticus Unit for the Kentucky Attorney General's Office -- a task force that investigated fraudulent investments in coal and oil tax shelters. He also served as an assistant in the Special Prosecutions Unit, and served from 1986 until 1987 as the first director of the Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control Unit.

He eventually returned to serve as a Division Chief for the Jefferson County Commonwealth Attorney's Office in Jan. 1988, but eventually resigned to run for Jefferson Circuit Court. He was elected in 1991 and started his term in 1992. He was re-elected for a second term in 1999 and was made Chief Judge in 2000.

He resigned from the bench in 2012 to pursue the Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorney position.

Wine was a regular attendee of a Saturday morning men's Bible study at Southeast Christian Church.

“There was not a more sincere man or public servant than Tom Wine," said Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell. "He was guided by his spiritual compass and the pursuit of justice during his decades of service as a prosecutor and a judge. My thoughts are with Tom’s family and the staff of the office of the Commonwealth Attorney as I have lost a friend and my office has lost a partner in the work to make Louisville safer.”

On his 65th birthday, Wine posted some thoughts about mortality and growing older on Facebook:

"I'm in the last quarter of my life on this earth. I used to have time to correct mistakes and apologize for harsh words. Now I need to choose more carefully. Not being morbid just reflective.

"I plan to keep working because I love my job and the people with whom I work. And I love Louisville, all of it. I'm richer because of the friends I have throughout the community. As they say in New Orleans 'laissez les bon temps rouler.' (Let the good times roll.)"

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