A retirement reception for Scherryl Harrison, assistant district attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit, will be held from 1 until 3 p.m. Friday, at the main courtroom in the Pike County Courthouse.

The community is invited to honor Harrison’s longtime service to the citizens of Pike County and the entire 12th Judicial Circuit.

Harrison was in private practice several years before joining the District Attorney’s office in March 1988.

Pike County District Attorney Tom Anderson said Harrison has served as a full time, state prosecutor for 25 years.

He said that, much of the time, Harrison’s caseloads and court cases focused on child abuse and domestic violence cases.

“Her life’s work was prosecuting injustices in all matters that pertained to the abuse of children and assaults against women,” Anderson said. “She made sure they got due consideration and their day in court.”

Anderson said that, for the last 10 years, Harrison has tried every type case.

“She has been a career prosecutor and a darn good one.”

Anderson said those who populate the District Attorney’s office are like family and Harrison has held a special role in the “family.”

“She has been the matriarch to many and a friend to all,” he said. “She will be greatly missed.”

Camille Downing, director of the Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center, said, too, that Harrison has been passionate about the cases involving children and their mothers.

“You can’t even mention the CAC without saying Scherryl Harrison’s name,” Downing said. “She was an advocate for abused children back in the 1980s before there was a CAC. Scherryl Harrison had thoughts of the need for a center for abused and neglected children and she was vital in bringing it to life in Troy in 2004. You can’t mention the CAC without discussing her involvement in it.”

Pike County Probate Judge Wes Allen said that Harrison is the “consummate pro.”

“She’s a hard worker and a diligent worker,” he said. “She has worked on behalf of the people of Pike County for 25 years. She is a lady that is going to be missed at the DA’s office and by the people of Pike County.”