COLUMBUS, Ohio (January 10, 2025) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today the appointment of Keith Washburn to the Chillicothe Municipal Court. Washburn, a Chillicothe resident, will assume the position on February 3, 2025, following the retirement of Judge Toni Eddy. He will serve the remainder of the term and must run for election in November 2025 to retain the seat.
Washburn brings a wealth of experience to the bench, with a diverse background in both law and law enforcement. He began his legal career in 2018 as the owner of Washburn Law Office, where he continues to practice today. Additionally, he served as an assistant prosecuting attorney for the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office from May to October 2020. Since September 2020, he has worked as a staff attorney for the Fraternal Order of Police Ohio Labor Council.
Washburn’s extensive career in law enforcement includes a distinguished tenure with the Chillicothe Police Department, where he served as a patrolman starting in 1995 and ultimately rose to the position of chief of police, a role he held until May 2020. He also contributed to the education of future law enforcement officers as an instructor at the Ohio University Chillicothe Southern Police Training Institute from 2007 to 2016.
In addition to his work in law enforcement and law, Washburn served in the United States Army from 1990 to 1993 as an Intelligence Analyst Specialist with the 4th Infantry Division.
Washburn holds an associate’s degree in law enforcement technology (2012), a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice (2013) from Ohio University, and a juris doctorate from Capital University Law School, earned in 2018.
As he prepares to step into his new role, Washburn’s deep local roots and extensive experience in both law and law enforcement are expected to serve him well as he embarks on this new chapter in his career.
