Kings County Superior Court Commissioner Jerry DeMelo Jr. is remarkably modest. When he speaks, it is quiet and deliberate, as if he is taking pains to ensure every sentence is correct. He smiles, and it seems genuine.

Ask about the award he received and he deflects any praise onto others.

"What was very special to me was that the words 'Kings County' were said into a microphone in front of 800 to 1,000 of the best people in this field in the state," DeMelo said. "I felt a sense that Kings County was being honored even more than me."

DeMelo, a three-year veteran of the Superior Court, was named the first-ever Judicial Officer of the Year by the Child Support Directors Association of California on Oct. 21.

The awards were traditionally only given to employees at child support agencies in California's 58 counties, all of whom are supported by the non-profit CSDA.

But this award marks the first time a judicial officer has been honored.

"I prefer, rather than falling in love with the fact that I was named Judicial Officer of the Year, to think that I had been called in some unique way to represent those of us who take the bench every day," he said.

In Kings County, DeMelo has presided over most matters related to child support and parenting at the outlying court in Corcoran. His court, held on Monday and Tuesday, primarily handles the financial aspects of family law.

DeMelo said he works to balance each situation in child support proceedings so neither parent feels like they are being dragged to court because of their wallet.

"It's real important to me for us to reach a fair result in our proceedings," he said. "Now, the decision will not always be one that each person will like, but hopefully when two parents walk out of our courtroom, they will say they got a fair shake. That's so important to me."

Prior to this assignment, DeMelo practiced law as an attorney, but he said he found his work as commissioner to be far more satisfying.

"When I practiced law, I was paid to take a position," he said. "It was my duty to defend my client, even if I personally thought a different position might be better in the matter. As a judicial officer, it's a little different. You get to hear both sides and call a ball a ball and a strike a strike. No one is paying you to just call it a strike."

Since he was appointed in March 2006, DeMelo said the job has been a "good fit" for him.

"I enjoy this assignment tremendously," he said. "I feel there is a balance. I'm able to help people, not just in the sense that we have appropriate orders to protect children, but there is also room to work with people who are down on their luck. It's really rewarding for me to help people break out of what otherwise might be an awkward situation."

Court Executive Officer Todd Barton said that "since he assumed the bench, [DeMelo] has garnered a lot of respect from the State Bar, from the staff and from all of the judicial bench here in Kings County. Jerry was the right selection for the position. He is a very humble individual and I think that he is very deserving of this award. He has represented this county well."

Ask DeMelo about the award, however, and again his modesty shows.

"For me to say that this recognition implies in any way that I am better than the others, that would be a fiction," he said. "There is tremendous talent in this area and I am humble to be a part of it. So, if the question is why me, then I don't know, but I will tell you that I was very honored to represent the judiciary at a conference."

The reporter can be reached at 583-2425.

(Nov. 2, 2009)