(NewsNation) — A longtime judge in a rural county courtroom that deals with mostly minor crimes, Kevin Mullins was killed by the sheriff of the county they both served, according to the Kentucky State Police.

Here is what we know.

What was Mullins' background?

Kevin R. Mullins, 54, had been a District Judge in Letcher County, Ky., for 15 years. Before that, he was a prosecutor in Letcher County, starting in 2001. The official title is assistant commonwealth’s attorney.

He was a graduate of the University of Kentucky and the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville.

As a district judge of the 47th Judicial District, Mullins handled juvenile cases, misdemeanors, issues........

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