District Judge Wayne Seibel stands in the courtroom in Evans City where he has served three terms.

As his term comes to an end, District Judge Wayne Seibel finishes with a career filled with public service.

“I'm going to have to get used to not being busy,” said Seibel on Tuesday.

Seibel presided over his final criminal cases Tuesday. Seibel's wife, Susan, and brother, Bruce, visited the courtroom on his final day.

Seibel had multiple cases go to hearings and had a longer day than usual, including a case involving an attempted homicide and threats that took almost three hours across two separate hearings.

“Today was a tough decision,” Seibel said.

Bruce Seibel said he was visiting from Florida, and he stuck around to see his brother's last day in court.

“This is nothing like you see courtrooms on TV,” said Bruce. “Seeing him up there sitting and listening patiently, that's very impressive.”

Bruce said his brother's personality has been a great asset to the job.

“He's a people person,” he said. “He cares about them all on both sides of the bench.”

Bruce said his brother's long tenure in public service has earned him some rest.

“I think it's due,” Bruce said. “I think he's left a lasting impression with this community.”

Seibel finishes his third term after 18 years as judge, before which he served for 30 years as an officer in multiple departments in southern Butler County, including Callery, Zelienople and Jackson Township.

“I've done everything I could as fair as I could,” Seibel said.

Seibel said he and his wife plan to downsize a bit and hope to move to a northern part of the county. He said Susan is looking toward his retirement, maybe as much as he is.

“My wife was very happy,” he said.

Seibel said it will still be tough, as always, to leave his staff and fellow professionals. Many attorneys, officers and prosecutors in court on Tuesday praised him, and he thanked them for their professionalism, as well.

“You'll always miss the people,” Seibel said.

Seibel will be replaced by incoming District Judge Amy Marcinkiewicz, who will be sworn into office during the first week of January.