Sadly, a dear friend, a mentor to many in our office and genuine law enforcement hero passed away Thursday night, Jan. 12.

Mike Cudahy, 57, spent his entire legal career as a prosecutor in our office. Right out of law school, he worked on the team that investigated the failure of Lincoln and U.S. Thrift. In a difficult and highly technical six-month trial, he obtained a fraud conviction against the CEO, Robert Fendler.

He went on to lead our Criminal Division for many years. His vast knowledge, calm self-assurance and firm sense of justice were an inspiration to all who worked with him. He personally took on the most challenging public corruption and financial crimes and invariably prevailed. Mike was proud to have tried at least one criminal case in every county in Arizona. I still hear from county attorneys in terms of both gratitude and awe about how he helped with their most difficult cases.

Although Mike could have excelled in any area, he dedicated his life and incredible talents to fighting crime and to this office. He was tireless and highly creative in fighting for justice. As a colleague and a boss, he was at once demanding, inspiring and always ready to help. Let's not forget he also loved a good time, revered a great steak and had a wry sense of humor. Only a few months ago, Mike told me how much the people here meant to him and how proud he was to have been part of our team.

Many in our office held him in the highest regard.

"The right thing," said Special Investigator Kathleen Kempley. "That is the phrase that comes to mind when I think of Mike Cudahy. Mike always did the right thing, no matter what the personal or professional consequences might have been. I had the privilege of working with Mike almost 15 years. The things I have learned from him cannot be enumerated. He is the most honest, moral, ethical, and truly genuine person I have known. He is respected by everyone - the defense, the prosecutors, agency heads. On numerous occasions during an investigation, defense attorneys would call and ask which prosecutor was on the case. After telling them it was Mike, they would know that whatever we were doing was justified."

Although Mike has been away, fighting a different foe, for the last five years, he remained one of the family and never wavered in his interest in and concern about the challenges here. Our prayers and thoughts go to his wife Joan and his family. Joan passed on a remark he made just a few days before he died that epitomized his extraordinary spirit: "For those of you who never give up - persevere." Mike was one of the very best to ever serve Arizona.

Terry Goddard