Local attorneys and law enforcement officers turned out Tuesday for the burial of Judge Robert L. Stevens Sr., simply and affectionately known as "The Judge."

Judge Stevens was a retired senior judge of the Superior Court of Toombs Circuit, where he served on the bench for more than 32 years. He was the senior judge in Georgia before he retired in 1996, and was a lifelong resident of McDuffie County.

"The thing that struck me about Judge Stevens was the image of the public had of him was this super-tough, strong individual. That was true. He was as tough a judge as there ever has been," said Toombs Judicial Circuit District Attorney Dennis Sanders, who first met Judge Stevens in 1973.

"But as I got to know him and get close to him, there was a soft side of him that his friends and loved ones knew. He genuinely loved people. He would show compassion in some cases, but could hammer you in other cases."

Judge Stevens was known as much for the sentences he handed out - 10 days for a man who shoplifted a Nutty Buddy ice cream treat - as for his style on the bench, Mr. Sanders said.

"It was never dull with him on the bench," Mr. Sanders said. "That's what made him such an interesting character. One time he said, 'I really love the world,' and I really think he did."

He often used his position to counsel defendants in an attempt to bring "Peace in the Valley," those who knew him said. Mr. Sanders said he was as much a marriage and family counselor as he was a judge.

"He was very unorthodox," Mr. Sanders said. "I have seen him do things like tell them to turn around and smile at each other or shake hands. He tried to remove the anger between them."

Before serving on the bench, he practiced law for more than 25 years. He was an Army veteran of World War II, having served in the Burma, China and India Theater.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Stevens of Thomson; a daughter, Jane Chalker of Thomson; a son, Robert L. Stevens Jr. of Thomson; and four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Judge Stevens, 83, was a member of Thomson First United Methodist Church.

He was buried in his robe and with his gavel during graveside services Tuesday in Westview Cemetery, with the Rev. Robert Gillespie officiating. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Toombs Circuit Bar Association and local law enforcement officers.