The Crestwood Board of Aldermen declared Thursday Charles Berry Day in the city at the board’s June 27 meeting, passing a citywide proclamation honoring the Crestwood municipal judge.
The proclamation stated some of Berry’s impressive lifelong accomplishments – he served in the U.S. military, flying hundreds of medevac missions during the Vietnam War. He was shot down on four separate incidents and received a Silver Star, the Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross, along with many other recognitions. After serving, he pursued a career in teaching special education for the St. Louis City School District, where he taught for 17 years. Berry then attended Detroit School of Law and opened a law practice for several years.
Berry was appointed as Crestwood’s municipal judge in April 2023 after the previous municipal judge, Judge Jason Denney, was appointed by Gov. Mike Parson as an associate circuit judge for the 21st Judicial circuit. Berry had served as Crestwood’s provisional judge on cases where Denney recused himself. Berry served in a transitional role as the city’s municipal judge, since he reached his mandatory retirement age in June as prescribed by state statute – 75 years old for municipal judges and 70 years old for other judges. The city appointed two provisional judges, Stephen Davis and Todd Campbell, in anticipation of Berry’s retirement.
After the proclamation was read, the Board of Aldermen unanimously approved the resolution, making it official. Berry was also given a key to the city and June 29, 2023, was declared “Charles Berry Day” in Crestwood.
“This is absolutely a joy. It truly is. It is a very welcomed, probably undeserved, but a very welcomed and very, very highly appreciated honor,” Berry said. “I thank you all very much.”
