Pope, who announced Monday that he would step down after 14 years on the job, said he wants "a new challenge." He plans to open a private law practice with Phil Smith, another prosecutor from the solicitor's office.

Pope assumed office in 1993. Although only 43 now, he ranks as the fourth-longest serving prosecutor in the state.

Two years into the job, he was in the national spotlight as chief prosecutor in the case of Susan Smith, who drowned her children inside a car and then concocted a tale about a mysterious abductor who had kidnapped her children. A fervid search for the children took place before Smith became the sole suspect.

Pope sought the death penalty, but Smith instead was sentenced to life in prison.

While that may have been Pope's most notorious case, it was not his only high-profile prosecution. Pope won death sentences against Mar-Reece Hughes, who was convicted of killing a York County Sheriff's deputy, and James Robertson, who killed his parents.

Pope also secured a death sentence in the case of Bobby Lee Holmes, who was charged with the rape and murder of an 86-year-old woman in 1989. Pope prosecuted the case in 1993 and again in a retrial in 2001, but the case recently was reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court, whose ruling may result in a third trial.

But while these cases made headlines, Pope's most valuable legacy may be the introduction of new technology and the focus on making his office more effective. For example, York County now leads the state in offering online access to all records of the criminal and civil courts and magistrate records. Pope was one of the chief promoters of that new system.

In 2003, the solicitor's office also initiated the York County drug treatment court, which offers treatment to nonviolent drug offenders as an alternative to jail. That same year, a juvenile drug court was established for younger drug offenders.

The 16th Circuit also established the York County Juvenile Justice Youth Council, which sponsored programs to help children who were frequently truant from school to avoid becoming embroiled in the justice system. The program, which was terminated after state support ended, won statewide recognition for its contributions to juvenile justice.

Pope, throughout the past 14 years, has been open to new ideas and has instilled that same open-mindedness in those who work under him. He has been touted as a rising star among state Republicans, and, at 43, he has ample time to pursue another public office if he chooses.

We are grateful for his leadership as solicitor for the past 14 years. He has kept pace with change and has run his office effectively. We wish him success in his future endeavors.

IN SUMMARY
Sixteenth Circuit Solicitor Tommy Pope embraced innovation during his tenure.