Getting to know Hillsborough County Judge Chet Tharpe with this week's 10 questions

TAMPA - We saw him in the news quite a bit recently. Hillsborough Circuit Judge Chet Tharpe oversaw the trial of man accused of impersonating a police officer and then raping a woman. We had some questions for the judge, 10 to be exact.

The rape trial of Luis Harris is just one of many high profile cases the Judge has overseen. He is a judge that speaks his mind and is considered tough, yet fair.

So, what does Judge Chet Tharpe say has him 'on probation' for life?

10 Questions for Judge Chet Tharpe

1.) What is your all time favorite movie or song?
Not sure about the movie but my favorite song without hesitation is " He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" by the Hollies. The story behind this song is very inspiring for me.

2.) Do you have a Smartphone? If so, what's your favorite app?
I do not have a smart phone. My wife won't let me have one. She says I am not smart enough for one. Just teasing. I would never use it for everything it does. I only answer and call.

3.) Who do you count as your mentor(s)?.
My father was my mentor and best friend. I can not begin to tell you how much time my father spent with me, my brother and sister. As a fireman, until he got hurt fighting a fire, he worked 24 hours on and 48 hours off. He had the opportunity to work another job but rather spent the majority of his spare time with us. He was our little league coach, went to my sisters dance classes, and all of my brothers swim practices and meets. He impressed upon us the importance of family and the setting of goals.

4.) What was your very first job?
My first job was when I was 11 or 12 years old. I mowed 13 different lawns in the neighborhood every week during the summer months. My first job earning an actual paycheck was when I was 15 earning a $1.50 an hour for the County Road Department digging ditches.

5.) If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
I would not be as impulsive. I am constantly wanting to buy things for everyone in the family. My wife is forever pulling in the reins on me. I recently acquired a new toy, my Jeep. Not only am I in the dog house, I am on lifetime probation as a result.

6.) What do you consider your greatest success?
My greatest success is my family. I have been married 35 years and have a daughter that is a teacher and a son that is a physician. I have two granddaughters that have me wrapped around their little fingers.

7.) Tell us something about you most people don't know?
During my senior year in high school, I was a member of an underwater recovery team. I located and recovered a drowning victim on my first dive.

8.) If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would they be?
My mother, father and and uncle whom I am named after. I owe my career and values to my mother and father for giving me their love and guidance. My uncle basically raised my father and would visit our home several times a week. He passed away when I was 12 but I can remember him bringing me turtles and rabbits that he had caught

9.) What is in your fridge right now?
Mostly leftovers; chicken breasts, vegetables, eggs,, milk, juice for the granddaughters, yogurt, cheese. The question really should be what is in my freezer! Wild Hog, sausage, pork chops, ribs, shrimp, red fish and venison.

10. If you could have a different career, other then what you're doing now, what would it be?
My other career would be in law enforcement or the military. My wife thinks I missed my calling by not being in law enforcement.

We hope you have enjoyed this week's profile.

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