Counting 'em Down: For better or for worse, this is the Headline Surfer countdown of 2021's Top 100 biggest news stories of Central Florida along the tourism-driven stretch of Interstate 4 (Orlando Attractions and east to I-95 & the World's Most Famous Beach in Daytona). Each recap segment is posted with its own headline, culminating with the unveiling of No. 1, before switching to the Top 5 storylines -- the good, the bad & the ugly on the horizon in "2022: The Year That Lies Ahead."
Photos for Headline Surfer / ABOVE: Circuit Judge Steven C. Henderson, 49, died Aug. 25, 2021, of COVID. Three other prominent public figures died of COVID as well that month: (Left to Right) ex-chamber exec. George Mirabal, 83, on Aug. 10; biker & veteran advocate Eddie Colosimo, 79, on Aug. 23; and radio host Marc Bernier, 65, on Aug. 28. BELOW: Henderson is shown in a pic from 2014 on the bench as a county judge.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Circuit Judge Steven C. Henderson was among several local prominent public figures who died of complications from COVID-19 back in August.
Henderson, 49, hospitalized with COVID-19 for several weeks, was not vaccinated, according to well-placed sources in the judiciary. He died on Aug. 25, of complications from the coronavirus.
Three other Daytona Beach-area public figures died that month too:
• George Mirabal, 83, former executive director of the Daytona Beach Chamber of Commerce on Aug. 10;
• Holly Hill biker and veterans advocate Eddie Colosimo, 79, on Aug. 23 (story link below);
• WNDB radio host Marc Bernier, 65, on Aug. 28.
Like Hendersdon, Colosimo and Bernier were anti-vaxxers.
Chief Judge James Clayton released a statement from Henderson's wife two weeks before his death that read: “My husband, Judge Steve Henderson, has tested positive for the COVID virus. He is presently at the hospital and responding well to treatment. My family thanks everyone for their prayers and concerns.”
Henderson, who presided over family law cases at the Volusia County Courthouse Annex at City Island in Daytona Beach, was appointed to a circuit judgeship back in 2017 by then-Gov. Prior to that, he was appointed as a county judge in 2012.
Steven Henderson, who presided over family law cases at the Volusia County Courthouse Annex at City Island in Daytona Beach, was appointed to a circuit judgeship back in 2017 by then-Gov. Prior to that, he was appointed as a county judge in 2012.
"Everybody loved Steve," Clayton said after Henderson's death. "He was an excellent prosecutor, an excellent county court judge, and an excellent circuit court judge, with deep religious faith and treated everybody fairly and equally and with dignity and respect. We could all learn from his example."
Henderson worked eight years as a prosecutor in the 7th Circuit, which encompasses Volusia, Flagler, Putnam, and St. Johns counties.
Henderson is survived by his wife and six children.
Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered that the flags of the United States and of the state of Florida be flown at half-staff in honor of Henderson.
Henderson earned his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University and his law degree from Florida State University.
A funeral service for Henderson was held on Sept. 8, 2021, at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. Burial was private.
About the Byline Writer: Henry Frederick is a member of the working press and publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched in 2008, that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando from Lake Mary, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed close to 150 award-winning bylines in print & online. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University in 2019. He was a breaking news reporter (metro cops & courts beat) for the Daytona Beach News-Journal for nearly a decade. And Before that worked the same beat for The Journal-News/Gannett Suburban Newspapers in Rockland/Westchester counties, NY, dating back to 1989. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and covering other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary shows on Discovery ID, Reelz, and the Oxygen Network series "Snapped" for his analysis. • Award-Winning Journalism: Florida Press Club recognizes Headline Surfer for nine stories in 2020 statewide competition. • Award-Winning Journalism of Henry Frederick.