H. Warren Hogeland, 76; was judge in Traffic Court

H. Warren Hogeland, 76, a former Philadelphia Traffic Court judge who was among the first to plead guilty this year in a ticket-fixing scandal that rocked the court, died Tuesday, Aug. 20, from complications following heart surgery.

Judge Hogeland was a lifelong resident of Northampton Township, Bucks County, and was the township's first full-time police officer, serving for more than three decades before becoming a district judge. He later was appointed to Traffic Court, where he served for about six years.

In February, after a wide-ranging federal probe, Judge Hogeland pleaded guilty to conspiracy and mail fraud and admitted that in 2010, he agreed to toss a $150 ticket for a defendant who did not show up in court. The defendant was the son of another Traffic Court judge.

Those who knew him said Thursday that the scandal was uncharacteristic of a man who dedicated himself to public service. His widow, Gail Bruski-Hogeland, 68, said her husband mistakenly signed tickets that had been adjudicated, but pleaded guilty because he knew that whatever the intent, the tickets were marked with his signature.

"This man was honest enough to admit what he did," she said.

Judge Hogeland had not yet been sentenced in the scandal. Two other judges, Kenneth Miller and Fortunato Perri Sr., also have pleaded guilty. Six more were charged.

Raised on a family farm, Judge Hogeland graduated from Council Rock High School in 1956 and enlisted in the Marine Corps. In 1962, after starting a plastering business, Hogeland became a full-time police officer, serving in the department until 1994, when he was elected a district judge.

He served in that post until 2006, when he was appointed to Traffic Court, serving on that bench until 2012.

Judge Hogeland's attorney, Craig Sopin, said it was Judge Hogeland's decision to plead guilty because he wanted to put the charges behind him "for his family."

Bruski-Hogeland said the thought of his being remembered for the ticket scandal "has been so hard."

In addition to being dedicated to his career, she said, he was devoted to his family and church, having gone on missionary trips. He loved his home and tending to his yard, she added.

Lou Busico, a prominent Bucks County-based defense attorney, described Judge Hogeland as "a quintessential gentleman."

"He was a fair man," Busico added. "He was pleasant. And he treated everyone the same."

Peter Palestina, a former Northampton supervisor, said he had the "utmost respect" for Judge Hogeland and was shocked by the federal charges.

"I don't know all the details," he said. "I think if he was well aware of what he was doing, he wouldn't have done it."

In addition to his wife of 25 years, Judge Hogeland is survived by two sons, Dale and Drew; a daughter, Dawn Hogeland-Cascarino; two stepsons, Ted Bruski and Jim Bruski; a brother; two sisters; and seven grandchildren.

A service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Addisville Reformed Church, 945 Second Street Pike, Richboro, Pa. 18954, to which contributions may be made.