Flags To Be Lowered In Honor Of Chief Monmouth Judge Thornton

TRENTON, NJ – Flags will be flown at half-staff throughout the state on Friday in honor of the late Honorable Lisa Payne Thornton, Monmouth County's top judge, under an executive order signed by Gov. Phil Murphy Tuesday.

Thornton, of Neptune, died on May 26 at age 59 after a decorated career in public service, the Governor's Office said.

Thornton, raised in Long Branch, was appointed as a Superior Court judge by Governor Jon Corzine in 2008 and, most recently, served as the Monmouth County Assignment Judge.

Also on Friday, June 9, visitation will be held for the judge, according to funeral arrangements published by Damiano Funeral Home of Long Branch.

Visitation will be held on Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brookdale Community College, Robert J. Collins Arena, 765 Newman Springs Road in Lincroft in Middletown, and on Saturday, June 10, at 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. at Second Baptist Church, 93 Liberty St., Long Branch, according to the funeral home.

Interment will follow at Woodbine Cemetery in Oceanport. A link to the service is included in the announcement from the funeral home.

"Lisa was a woman of faith and a devout member of the Second Baptist Church in Long Branch. She lived her life with a deep sense of purpose, and her contributions made through a stellar career in law and public service will never be forgotten," her obituary reads, in part.

Murphy spoke about Thornton's contributions in a statement:

“For more than two decades, the State of New Jersey and its local communities benefited tremendously from Judge Thornton’s dedicated public service and legal acumen,” said Murphy.

“As the first Black woman to serve as an Assignment Judge in New Jersey history, she will be remembered not only as a talented judge but as an inspiring trailblazer in her field. It is with great sadness that we mourn Judge Thornton's passing and extend our heartfelt sympathy to her family, friends, and colleagues,” he said.

The unexpected death of the judge stunned judicial and other officials throughout the state, who all praised her, including Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago and members of his office.

"She leaves behind a legacy of consistently sound jurisprudence, warm congeniality, a keen sense of humor, and resolute fairness, having served as a pioneering and steadying influence over our courts for the better part of a decade," the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement May 27, announcing her death.