District Judge Robert W. ‘Bob’ Heaton collapses, dies while attending Mass

Monday, July 16, 2012, 10 a.m. — Nelson District Judge Robert Heaton collapsed while attending 6:30 Mass Monday morning at St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral and later died at Flaget Memorial Hospital. Nelson County EMS was called at 6:48 a.m. to respond to the church for a report of an individual who had collapsed. CPR was started by two women who were attending Mass at the church.  Two ambulances arrived at the church at 6:58, and transported Heaton to Flaget Memorial Hospital while continuing CPR. Heaton was later pronounced dead at Flaget.

Heaton had served as district judge for Nelson County since 1999. Prior to his judicial career, he was an attorney in private practice and served as the city attorney for Bardstown for 19 years. Judge Heaton earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Louis University and a juris doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Funeral arrangments are pending.

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