Norm Maleng

In Memoriam

Norm Maleng

NDAA has bid a sorrowful farewell to a dedicated NDAA Board member, outstanding prosecutor and, according to his family, “a giant of a man.” On May 24, Norm Maleng, former King County, Washington, prosecutor attorney, died of cardiac arrest at the age of 68. Maleng’s devotion to the criminal justice system will live on well beyond his death. He was a leader in every sense of the word and lived his life with undeniable integrity and honor.

Maleng was born and raised on a small dairy farm in Acme Valley in Northwest Washington where he developed his compassionate, friendly disposition, for which he was well known. Even at a young age, Maleng had an incomparable work ethic. He managed to rank top in his high school class while helping on the family farm and devoting his spare time to the Future Farmers of America where he cultivated his exceptional skills in public speaking and won several state level competitions.

After high school Maleng attended the University of Washington where he joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and graduated as a lieutenant with a degree in economics. After graduation he served his three-year commitment at Fort Meade, Maryland—an experience which almost convinced him to forgo his pursuit of a legal career for a military lifestyle. To our benefit, he chose to attend law school and upon graduation accepted a position as a staff attorney to the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee.

Subsequently, Maleng spent three years in private practice. In 1972, at the age of 32, he joined the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office as chief deputy of the Civil Division. In 1978, he ran for the office of prosecuting attorney and won, serving in that position until his untimely death. He was in his eighth term.

Throughout his career, Norm Maleng made several influential contributions to the prosecutorial community. He prosecuted or oversaw the prosecution of thousands of cases, including Gary Ridgway, the notorious Green River Killer, whose life Maleng chose to spare by asking for life without parole. In addition to managing the largest prosecutor’s office in the state of Washington, Maleng established several innovative programs, including a nationally-recognized sexual assault prosecution unit, a specialized homicide investigation and prosecution unit, a victim assistance unit and a comprehensive domestic violence prosecution unit. He also founded a Drug Court and a Kids’ Court, focused on helping child victims of sexual abuse understand and feel comfortable in the courtroom.

Maleng’s voice in seeking justice was heard well beyond the walls of his office. He led successful legislative efforts to pass a number of bills in the state of Washington which were critical to the effectiveness of the criminal justice system. He was also appointed chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Community Protection, whose recommendations later became Washington state laws. In addition, Maleng helped to strengthen several Washington state laws aimed at juveniles who carry firearms without adult supervision and the Becca Bill, which re-enforced truancy laws and established guidelines for dealing with runaway children. He also served the criminal justice community on a national level as past vice president of NDAA and chair of the American Bar Association’s influential Criminal Justice section.

Despite his hard work and outstanding contribution to prosecution, Maleng cannot be defined by his career. He was a compassionate, kindhearted, dedicated leader in the office and in life. In a previous article published in this magazine, Maleng was described as “a very empathetic individual.” That article attributed his sympathetic nature to the fact that Maleng tragically lost his daughter in 1989 when she was only 12 years old. One month before her 13th birthday, she was struck by a car while sledding. The grief he suffered allowed him to personally relate to others experiencing loss. “He [was] someone who [would] talk to a total stranger about grief and loss and suffering because [he’d] been through it personally.” He was even known for visiting the homes of the victims of the crimes he prosecuted to lend comfort.

Maleng is survived by his wife, Judy, and his son, Mark, who made the following statement issued by the hospital: “Norm Maleng was a loving husband and father, a man who led with integrity and a deep sense of justice. He was a giant of a man. The family appreciates the outpouring of sympathy and love for this special man.”

Norm Maleng was a dedicated member of our organization and will be forever remembered as a great contributor to NDAA and the criminal justice community. He was a spiritual man who touched the lives of all of those around him. NDAA President Mat Heck said, “Norm was a most dedicated and committed public servant, a well-respected prosecutor and true gentleman. His advice and optimism will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, family and office.” All of the individuals who worked for or with Maleng agree that they are better people for having known him.