The Brooke County Prosecutor’s Office now bears the name of the man who held that position longer than anyone — a fitting honor for someone who spent decades representing the county in court.

Last week, the prosecutor’s office was dedicated to former prosecutor David B. Cross, who was in that role for 33 years. That’s the longest anyone in West Virginia has held the elected office of county prosecutor.

For more than three decades, Cross not only presented countless criminal cases to the local justice system, but also served as legal counsel to both the Brooke County Commission and Brooke County Board of Education.

All the while, he influenced numerous people who entered the legal field, including members of his own family.

West Virginia State Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, said when he started out in law, he looked at his uncle, Cross, as inspiration.

“I thought, if I could be half as good as he is and have half the respect he has, I’d be doing OK,” he said at the dedication ceremony.

The honor was suggested by many, including 1st Judicial Circuit Court Judge Joseph Barki, who had followed Cross as prosecutor.

“There are very few people in the legal field, or you’ll meet on the street, who don’t like or respect David B. Cross,” he said. “This county has truly been blessed by his service.”

A celebration of that service has now been etched into the very building he occupied for so long.