Circuit Judge Randall Jackson announced his retirement after 40 years on the bench in Division One of Missouri’s Fifth Judicial Circuit. In a letter to Gov. Eric Greitens, Jackson submitted his resignation and gave notice of his retirement effective September 1.

“Consequently, the last day of my employment in that position will be August 31, 2017,” according to the letter. “I am very grateful for the opportunity to have served the Fifth Judicial Circuit as judge for over forty years.”

“However, I feel it is time to spend more time with my family and pursue other interests in retirement while God has blessed me with good health to be able to do so.”

Jackson said looks forward to spending time with his grandchildren, and said he has one more on the way. He also looks forward to doing some fishing, hunting and bow hunting with his brother Lynn Jackson, something they’ve been doing together for years.

Among his hobbies is the practice of “bluebirding.” Jackson has constructed and placed about 25 nest boxes for bluebirds, and enjoys photographing them.

We asked about his most memorable cases. He singled out the murder trials for Zacheriah Trip. who was eventually convicted of kidnapping, rape and first-degree murder.

The weeklong trial for the 2001 attack on a high school girl ended in a hung jury and mistrial. A second jury returned guilty verdicts in 2003.

Gov. Greitens will appoint a new Circuit Judge to fill out Jackson’s term through the end of next year.