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HAMILTON — It would be his heart that gave out.

Those who knew Juvenile Court Judge David Niehaus say his heart led him to hold one of the most heart-wrenching jobs as a judge — deciding the fate of children — and later led him to overhaul the juvenile justice system in Butler County.

Niehaus died of a heart attack at Fort Hamilton Hospital at 10:48 p.m. Thursday, July, 31, according to hospital officials.

The 64-year-old Niehaus was a judge in Butler County for 27 years. He was the county's first juvenile judge, taking that bench 21 years ago.

Today's Juvenile Justice Center is a standing legacy to Niehaus' life, said Juvenile Court Administrator Rob Clevenger.

Clevenger said Niehaus brought in state dollars to build an innovative juvenile center in 1990 to keep troubled youth in the community. There was nothing like it in the state, he said.

"He believed strongly in the power of the family," Clevenger said. "He believed if you could allow children to be raised in a healthy family that were committed to loving children, he believed you had a fighting chance."

A public funeral Mass will be Monday, Aug. 4, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Julie Billiart Church on Dayton Street in Hamilton. A private procession and burial will follow.

Clevenger said the Ohio Supreme Court will help cover the juvenile court caseload until the governor appoints a new judge, who will run for re-election in November.

Judges countywide agree it's a difficult job. And Niehaus was unique to be able to do it so long. "In order to be effective (in juvenile court), you've got to hurt," Clevenger said. "His heart has quit, and I look at it and say that a little bit of his heart was gone every day here."

Judge 'genuinely cared about families and children'

Before his unexpected death Thursday, July 31, Juvenile Court Judge David Niehaus' involvement in improving the lives of Butler County children stretched back decades.

In the late 1980s, Niehaus helped bring the PARACHUTE: Court Appointed Special Advocate program to Butler County.

"He genuinely really cared about families and children," said PARACHUTE Executive Director Chris Schulz. "He was someone who didn't want to punish people, but wanted to look out for the children. He saw them as our community children and wanted to make sure they were OK."

PARACHUTE CASA, modeled after a Cincinnati program, was started following the 1986 death of Tiffany Hubbard, who was sexually abused and beaten by her father, Jeffery Hubbard. The organization?s court appointed volunteers visit families involved in court proceedings.

Niehaus supported the volunteers who serve as advocates for children in court.

"He was willing to work with volunteers," said Schultz. "He felt it was a big team effort, not just lawyers, but community."

Niehaus began his term as the probate judge in 1981. He was employed with the Court of Common Pleas for 40 years, starting out as a juvenile probation officer. He was a practicing lawyer from 1971-81 at Walsh & Niehaus Law Firm in Fairfield.

Judge Craig Hedric argued before Niehaus as a lawyer before sitting next to him on the common pleas court for the last 18 months.

"Judge Niehaus was truly a lawyer's judge and he understood the legal system extremely well and more importantly he really, really cared for cared for children," Hedric said. "He will be extremely missed not only in the legal communities, but also in the lives of children."

Niehaus recently drew national attention with a controversial decision to jail a Fairfield man because his daughter didn?t attend school or get a GED.

This is one of many examples of Niehaus' courage on the bench, said Common Pleas Administrative Judge Keith Spaeth, who worked for Niehaus as a bailiff, argued before him as a lawyer and served beside him as a judge.

"I think he was so successful over the years because (some) might disagree with his position but they never questioned his motives, his sincerity and his passion for juvenile justice," Spaeth said.

Niehaus was active in numerous community organizations, including the Hamilton Community Foundation.