Former Chief Justice P. Harris Hines, Georgia Supreme Court (Photo: John Disney/ALM)

The Georgia Supreme Court has unveiled a memoriam to the late former Chief Justice P. Harris Hines that includes tributes from family, friends, colleagues, a U.S. senator, three former governors and a former American president.

“In 1974, as Governor of Georgia, I followed my best instinct and appointed Harris Hines to be a judge for the State Court of Cobb County,” former President Jimmy Carter said. “Although he had previously supported my opponent in a contentious election campaign, I felt he was the best person for the job.”

Carter noted that after winning his first election to the job, Hines ran unopposed in every reelection campaign from that time until his retirement in 2018.

“This stands as a testament to his character, judicial temperament, intellect, and leadership. In this age of divided and contentious politics, Justice Hines was someone everyone could agree on,” Carter said. “I am grateful that I was able to tell him several months before he died that I have had great pride in his wonderful service.”

Hines died in a car crash in November 2018, just two months after his retirement. The Supreme Court appointed a committee to prepare “an appropriate memorial to the life, character, and service of the Honorable P. Harris Hines.” The committee's report is now posted on high court's website. It's filled with moving remembrances—some spoken at his funeral, some at a private graveside service for family, some on the high court. Many have been published before. One not previously published came from Georgia State Patrol Dexter Haden, who served as a driver and provided security for Hines as chief.

“He would say to me many times during our trips together or at lunch, 'Dexter it doesn't cost people anything to just be kind,'” Haden said. “Although Chief Hines was kind and loving, he was also a protector of his family. Nobody could mess with the people he loved, 'his family and friends,' without him addressing that person. Sometimes instead of me being his 'protector' he would be mine (Manuel's Tavern incident).”

Haden disclosed an unknown episode from the last year of life for Hines. “I have permission from the Hines family to say that, one day after our Philadelphia trip in April 2018, where I had stayed with him in the cardiac intensive care unit for two days, we were riding together and Chief looked at me and said 'Dexter I love you,'” Haden said. “I knew that this was not just something or a word that he would casually use, but a true and heartfelt feeling he had toward me.”

Haden said he had “a few seconds of shock and not knowing how to respond.” But then the trooper said to the chief, “I love you too.”

“After that day he would from time to time say those words to me,” Haden said. “Chief Hines was my mentor, father figure and my friend.”

Supreme Court Clerk Therese Barnes said Hines “lent dignity to everyone he encountered.” She said he left the staff handwritten thank you notes and treats in the records room on the Hines family china.

“He genuinely treasured us, and we treasured him,” Barnes said.

The shortest tribute is from grandson P. Harris Hines II: “I love you. You're the kindest man, and I love you the best. I loved watching trains with you at your house. Goodbye. I miss you.”

The high court tweeted the addition of the memoriam on its website Monday.