Note: The following item was provided by the Polk School District. – KtE
Polk School District honored the Winn 3 Charitable Fund and the memory of Judge Dan Peace Winn by placing plaques in his honor on the judicial benches in the Public Safety classrooms at Polk County College and Career Academy.
Superintendent Laurie Atkins stated, “It is our distinct pleasure to honor the memory of Judge Dan Peace Winn by remembering him in our classrooms where our students learn about the law and criminal justice – a field he devoted his life to in a community that he loved.”
Atkins continued, “We are grateful to the Winn family that joined us for this special dedication and for their continued service to the Polk County community.”
The Winn 3 Charitable Fund began awarding scholarships in 2017 to graduating seniors in Polk School District. The fund annually awards a total of $5,000 in scholarships at Cedartown High School and $5,000 at Rockmart High School.
During the 2020-2021 school year, the Winn 3 Charitable Fund also awarded the school system with an $80,000 grant for purchasing computers and charging stations, and an additional grant of $11,760 to purchase reusable water bottles.
The Winn 3 Charitable Fund was created at the bequest of Judge Dan Peace Winn to honor his parents, Mary Peace Winn and Frank M Winn. Judge Winn was a passionate jurist, a decorated Marine fighter pilot who flew night fighter missions out of Guam during World War II, author of several books defending Truman’s decision to use the atomic bomb to end World War II, and a global traveler with friends in every corner of the world.
Judge Winn was born and raised in Douglasville, Georgia. After returning from service in World War II, he completed his law degree at Emory University. He served as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia in 1948.
He moved to Cedartown in 1949 to begin the practice of law and lived in Polk County for 68 years. He was elected Solicitor, City Court of Polk County, in 1951. In 1959, he was elected Solicitor General for the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit. In 1966, he was elected Judge, Superior Court of Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit and re-elected for five terms. In 1988, he was appointed Senior Judge, State of Georgia until his death in 2016.
Judge Winn was a resolute advocate for youth and children. He was often asked what his favorite case was. He always replied, “all adoptions.” He supported many local charities and was a faithful attendee at Cedartown High School football home games.
