Court Room 1 was packed and there was overflow seating in the hallway, where a video monitor showed the proceedings.
Judge Buckwalter takes over the seat departed by J. Timothy Campbell, who could not run again due to age. Buckwalter won a primary last year and defeated Joe Graf in the November 2010 general election.
Judge Stephen A. Wolaver presided over the ceremony. The guest speakers were former Greene County Common Pleas Judge M. David Reid, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas M. Rose and Fairborn Municipal Judge Michael Murry. A proclamation was read from the office of Congressman Steve Austria.
Greene County Probate Court Judge Robert A. Hagler administered the oath of office to Buckwalter while Greene County Commissioner Marilyn Reid held the Bible.
In his acceptance speech, Buckwalter thanked the 200-plus volunteers listed on the back of the ceremony program.
He also spoke about how he “got the rug pulled out from under me” after nearly being appointed in 2002, when only his name originally was supplied by the county’s Republican Party to Governor Bob Taft to replace Rose. Buckwalter and two others were considered and Campbell ultimately was selected.
A reception was held after the hour-long ceremony. “That was the ultimate issue of importance to me was that this was a celebration, not just for me,” Buckwalter said. “but for all my volunteers and for all those who had a positive influence in shaping my career.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com.
About the Author