DETROIT -- Detroit police say they've received several phone calls that may help lead them to the arrest of a driver in a hit-and-run crash that killed a well-respected judge.

JUDGE JOHN PERRY Community, Coworkers Remember Judge Killed In Crash Police Say Judge Was Dragged By Car Son-In-Law Says Hit-And-Run Is A Sad Tale Chief Judge Reacts To Co-Worker's Death IMAGE GALLERY: Well-Respected Judge Killed In Crash

Thirty-sixth District Court Judge John R. Perry (pictured, left), 73, was crossing East Lafayette with a friend around 9 p.m. when a car speeding eastbound hit him, Local 4 reported. Witnesses told police that Perry landed on the hood of the car.

"A dark-colored vehicle was traveling eastbound on Lafayette and struck a pedestrian," Detroit police Officer Mitchell Quinn said. "The vehicle dragged the pedestrian approximately 100 feet at which time it was observed swerving and weaving in the roadway, it knocked the pedestrian off the windshield and took off at a high rate of speed."

Perry's friend -- who requested his name be withheld -- said he and the judge were leaving a meeting of the Lafayette Park cooperative housing association they belonged to when the crash occurred.

"We went across the road to get in the car and that's when it all happened. The first thing I heard was the 'bang,' and I couldn't believe this was a person," he said. "I saw the car rushing away and 50 yards or so down the street, the body came off the car."

Papers that Perry was carrying were left scattered in the street, according to Local 4.

Perry was pronounced dead at Detroit Receiving Hospital, the station reported. Police said the man walking with him was not injured.

Perry's family said he never received threats and they have no reason to believe he was targeted in the hit-and-run accident. Investigators also said it's not likely the judge was targeted because he mainly handled landlord and tenant issues, and not criminal matters.

Police are looking for the driver of a dark-colored, four-door sedan. The vehicle will likely have major windshield damage and deployed airbags, according to police.

Perry lived in the Lafayette Park area of Detroit, near the hit-and-run scene, Local 4 reported. He reportedly walked to work in the spring and summer months.

"To get run down in the community that he loved, and be left like that, it's just a sad tale," the victim's son-in-law, Mike Evans, said.

Perry was born in Wyandotte, was a 1958 graduate of University of Detroit School Of Law and was appointed to the bench in 1982 after practicing law in the city of Detroit, according to the court's Web site.

"He enjoyed the law and he enjoyed the people. It didn't matter what side of the law they were on. He loved his job and he loved his community," Evans said.

Perry served with the 36th District Court as the executive presiding judge for 12 years in the environmental, traffic and ordinance, and criminal divisions, according to the court's Web site. Perry's friends and co-workers said they will miss his wisdom and sense of humor.

Perry's wife, Suzanne, was at a cabin in northern Michigan on vacation at the time of the accident, Local 4 learned. Perry had three children, two stepchildren and seven grandchildren, according to reports.

Anyone with information on the driver or vehicle involved should contact Officer George Graves of the Detroit Police Department Fatal Squad at (313) 596-1465.

City Officials React To Judge's Death

The flag was at half-staff and a moment of silence was observed Tuesday at the 36th District Court on Madison Avenue where Judge John Perry served for 22 years.

Chief 36th District Court Judge Marylin Atkins released the following statement after hearing of Perry's death:

"He was the most senior judge on the court and due to retire at the end of this year. He was a good man. He's going to be very much missed by the entire bench."

Atkins told Local 4 that Perry wasn't going to leave the bench "until he absolutely had to." She said he was a great public servant and was very dedicated.

"He was a good judge. We all took example from the way he conducted himself, the way he knew the law. He was firm, but he was compassionate. He got the job done and he was very well respected," Atkins said.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy also released a statement after hearing of Perry's death:

"The news of Judge Perry's death is a tragic and a great loss to the legal community.

"He was one of the first District Court judges that I appeared in front of as a new lawyer, I was grateful for his patience. This is especially sad because he was going to retire soon. He was planning to remain active in the legal profession. He had the reputation of being even-tempered, levelheaded and down-to-earth. We will miss him."

Assistant Prosecutor Paul Sinutko said Perry was always prompt, prepared and professional.

"I always noticed the great sense of humor about him," Sinutko said.

Atkins and her colleagues will attend Perry's funeral wearing their robes as a sign of respect for the judge and a symbol of the bond they shared for so many years, Local 4 reported.

"This is what he wanted to do and this is what he enjoyed doing," Atkins said.

Perry is reportedly the second judge from the 36th District Court to be killed in the last eight years. In 1996, Judge Nick Krust was killed while crossing at Gratiot and Beaubian streets, Local 4 reported.