By Marla Jones, Reporter • marla@southerntorch.com (Submitted Photo)

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Alfred Richard Igou, who served DeKalb and Cherokee Counties as District Attorney for 20 years, passed away on Saturday. He was 74 years old.

In a statement, current District Attorney Mike O’Dell said:

“Richard Igou’s passing has deeply saddened me. He served as District Attorney for 20 years, 1976-1996. For sixteen of those years, I served as his Chief Deputy District Attorney. One of the first cases we tried together was the Judith Neelley Capital Murder trial. From that moment on, Richard and I shared a bond that only became stronger over the years. Richard was my mentor and my friend, and he taught me many valuable lessons over the years about life, the law, and justice. He was an incredible prosecutor with impeccable character and integrity. He retired in 1996 and I took over the office, yet, he never stopped serving the public, as he came back to work as a contract attorney handling our child support overflow. Over the years, I grew to love him deeply as a fellow public servant and as a cherished friend. I will miss him dearly.”

Igou’s other colleagues shared their condolences as well.

Deputy District Attorney Scott Lloyd said, “Richard Igou was a great man, a great leader and a great friend. Richard gave me my first job in law and inspired in me a zeal to be a prosecutor. He will be missed.”

“Richard Igou was a giant in the legal field in this Circuit and in Alabama,” said Circuit Judge Jeremy Taylor. “He was a fierce, but fair, advocate for the State of Alabama. We will miss his work in the courtroom and his friendship. I grew up with his children and know that Mr. Igou was a great father as well. We pray for his family. He was truly a gentleman in every sense.”

Attorney and Circuit Judge-elect Andrew Hairston said, “The DeKalb County legal community lost a good one. Richard Igou was a dedicated public servant, serving as our District Attorney for many years. More importantly, he was a good person, who was always smiling. We will miss him tremendously. Our prayers are with his family during this most difficult time.”

Earlier this year, Igou received the prestigious Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce’s V.I. Prewett Lifetime Achievement Award.

Igou is survived by his wife Deema; children: Alex, Christy, Anna and Ellen; sisters: Susan Long and Mary Shurett; and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services for Igou will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, November 27 at First United Methodist Church in Fort Payne. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society for pancreatic research or the Robert Purdy Sunday School Class.