ST. LOUIS (KTRS) Longtime St. Louis Circuit Judge Jimmie Edwards will take over as the city’s director of public safety starting November 6th. Mayor Lyda Krewson announced Friday he’ll replace Charlene Deeken, who will stay on as deputy director. Edwards has been a circuit judge since 1992. As director of public safety he will oversee police, firefighters and corrections departments.

In 2011, People Magazine named Judge Edwards one of its Readers’ Choice Heroes for his work creating the Innovative Concept Academy that provides counseling and activities for juvenile offenders. His academy was the focus of a documentary called For Akheem that will be shown at the St. Louis International Film Festival next month.