
Hirsh
Robert J. Hirsh was ratified Tuesday as the Pima County Public Defender by the Board of Supervisors.
Hirsh, 72, fills a vacancy that was created by the April 1 death of three-year Public Defender Robert J. Hooker. Hooker was killed when his vehicle was struck by a pickup truck police say was involved in a race on Main Avenue during the afternoon rush hour.
Hirsh served as Hooker’s chief deputy in the Public Defender’s Office.
Hirsh, who did not attend the ratification vote, has credited Hooker with putting the office “on the right path.”
He has named Assistant Public Defender Lori J. Lefferts as his second in command.