Former Kentucky Appeals Court Judge, 90, Dies In House Fire After 'Heroically' Saving Wife

A former Kentucky appeals court judge who once ran for governor has died in a house fire after "heroically" saving his wife.

Tom Emberton, 90, was married to his wife for 65 years before being killed in the fire that was discovered in his Edmonton home around 3:30 a.m. Thursday, Metcalfe County Coroner Larry Wilson said, according to AP News.

Officials reportedly said Tom rescued his wife and then went back inside the house before breathing his last.

"He heroically rescued his wife and got her to safety. Then he went back in to save his home and lost his life," Edmonton Mayor Doug Smith told WBKO.

Smith was longtime friends and fishing partners with Emberton, a lawyer from Metcalfe County.

"Tom was just the greatest guy in the world to be around. He was infectious to everybody," Smith added. "He had a way about him that was really special."

Emberton was a Republican candidate for Kentucky governor in 1971 and was appointed to the Court of Appeals in 1987.

"He did a lot for the city of Edmonton, Metcalfe County, Fifth District, State of Kentucky," Smith said further. "He was just a really good fellow."

Smith described Emberton in a statement as a "great father, husband, friend and statesman," according to the outlet.

He is survived by his wife Julia, his daughter Laura Emberton Owens and his son Tom Emberton Jr.

Senator Mitch McConnell also released a statement following Emberton's death and said he and his wife are "heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of our good friend Judge Tom Emberton."

McConnell noted that Emberton hired him to work on his 1971 gubernatorial campaign and taught him "valuable lessons on public service and running as a statewide Republican in Kentucky."

"In 1987, in recognition of Tom's distinguished career and outstanding service to the Commonwealth, a Democratic governor appointed him to the Kentucky Court of Appeals," McConnell recalled. "He was re-elected to that position twice and also was elected by his peers to serve as Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, a position he held until he retired in 2004."

Following his retirement, the former judge and his wife stayed active in the community, and he received several honors and awards, McConnell added.