A robing ceremony was held for the Hon. Judge Derek Vaughn, Douglas  County District, 4th Judicial District of Nebraska, at the Omaha Douglas Civic Center, Legislative Chambers on Friday, February 23, 2024. Judiciary introductions and opening remarks were given by Donald W. Kleine, Douglas County Attorney. Judge Vernon Daniels, Douglas County Separate Juvenile Court, performed the robing ceremony.

The community celebrated Judge Vaughn, including the church community. The invocation was given by Rev. Dr. Selwyn Q. Bachus, senior pastor, Salem Baptist Church, and the closing prayer was given by Rev. Beneliet Aen, Sr. County Attorney Kleine joked that no other robing ceremony had as many pastors before. Judge Vaughn is close with the community built around him, and the proof was in the packed seats.

Judge Vaughn moved to Omaha when he was five, and it’s been home ever since. A graduate of Creighton Prep and UNL, his roots stretch deep through the city. It is engaging with the community around him that provides him with a sense of self. “when I’m involved in the community, you learn so much,” he said. “You just learn so much with people and talking to people and engaging in people.”

His parents and family and church community instilled a passion for service. “I grew up in an atmosphere where my parents encouraged education,” he said.  “They encouraged being involved in the community. They’ve encouraged me to expand my knowledge and  that I could do anything I put my mind to.” Judge Vaughn’s foundation as a human and as a judge seems to be built on this current of service. He jokes that growing up, people often commented he would make a great judge, but initially, he was drawn to medicine. Helping people was always a part of his journey. In high school, he shifted focus and began to consider a career in the law. Inspired by a father who worked in law enforcement and a mother in teaching, and a community of role-models encouraging him, Judge Vaughn found his path to law and eventually as a judge. During his time in the county attorneys office, he started working cases in the problem-solving courts. He was assigned to the drug court program, young adult court program, and mental health diversion. Trying these cases helped him discover a more specific direction for his career. “I wanted to elevate my service to the people of Douglas County. Then I started thinking about becoming a judge.”

His passion is giving back to the community though. His connection to Omaha is evident in the time he gives to building community and engaging with people of all backgrounds. “A passion of mine is to be out there in the community, be visible,’ Judge Vaughn said.  “I like being around people, and I like being in service to people.”

Just a few committees and organizations he volunteers for are: Zion Baptist’s Animal Wild Game Feed started by his father, the Board of Trustees for Creighton Prep, the Salem Baptist Trustee Ministry,  New Era Baptist Convention of Nebraska and the Nebraska Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission, just to name a few. With each volunteer opportunity, it’s more than helping his community, it’s truly about having conversations and learning from the world around him.

“We all have different perspectives and different beliefs,” Judge Vaughn said. “And I’ve had a lot of great conversations with these people. A lot of the time they give me things to think about from different perspectives that I was never exposed to before. The biggest thing for me is to ensure that people are heard.”

It’s this drive to see people as unique individuals and create a solution-based community that will be the legacy of Judge Vaughn.