John Patrick Lukens

John Patrick Lukens was born in Washington, D.C., on August 10, 1944. He attended the University of Idaho, graduating with the class of 1970, and during his undergraduate studies also served two years in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He continued at Idaho and graduated cum laude from law school in 1973, where he served on the Board of Editors for Law Review, competed on the National Moot Court Competition Team, and received numerous awards and scholarships.

After law school, John clerked for the Chief Judge for the Federal District of Idaho and for Nevada District Court judge Paul S. Goldman. Following a two-year stint in the Clark County Public Defender's office, he entered private practice, working both in partnership and as a solo practitioner. His legal work became best known when he joined the Clark County District Attorney's office in 1987, where he became a tireless advocate for children and victims' rights. He served as the first chief deputy district attorney for the newly formed Sexual Assault/Child Abuse unit and was instrumental in initiating a Clark County Child Death Review Team, working closely with the Children's Advocacy Center to provide guidance, instruction, and education to advocates in these fields.

John acted as a special instructor for the Las Vegas Metropolitan and North Las Vegas police departments for 20 years, including preparing publications for in-house training, and served for over 10 years on the Chiropractic Physicians' Board of Nevada. After leaving the District Attorney's office in 1997, he returned to private practice until 2009, when he set aside the practice of law to teach and coach high school students at Lake Mead Christian Academy. His legacy was one of education and protection, striving to help others achieve their potential. He died on February 1, 2013.