Paul Czajka, a retired public servant from Columbia County, passed away on the evening of September 3rd at Columbia Presbyterian in New York City. He had been receiving treatment for cancer and was hospitalized for several weeks. His friend, L. Edward Moore, who has known him since childhood, confirmed the news. Paul was surrounded by his loved ones during his final moments.
Mr. Czajka, who was 70 years old, lived in Livingston on the family farm where he had grown up.
On December 31 of last year, he retired from his long-held position as Columbia County District Attorney.
Mr. Czajka, a dairy farmer turned lawyer, dedicated almost four decades to public service. Throughout his career, he served as a public defender, county judge, and county district attorney. From January 1988 to December 1994 and again from January 2012 until his retirement, he held the position of county district attorney. Additionally, he was elected county judge and served for 10 years from January 1995 until May 2011. It is worth noting that he was a registered Republican.
Mr. Czajka holds the distinction of being the longest-serving District Attorney in Columbia County’s history, having served since 1796. He also holds the distinction of being the first District Attorney to serve full-time.
Mr. Czajka, a graduate of Germantown High School, pursued his higher education at Hamilton College, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree. He furthered his studies at the State University at Albany and obtained his law degree from the Western New England School of Law in Springfield, MA. Prior to his legal career, he served in the U.S. Peace Corps in the Philippines. Mr. Czajka is survived by his three grown sons and grandchildren.
During the 1980s, he gained recognition for his prosecution of corrupt Hudson Police officers, as well as James J. Dolan, Jr., the suspended Hudson police chief. In April 1991, Dolan was sentenced to probation and fined for obstructing justice by interfering with drug investigations conducted by other law-enforcement agencies.
Mr. Czajka, in a letter released in January 2023, declared that he would not be running for re-election later that year. He acknowledged the efforts of former sheriffs Paul Proper, James Bertram, and a group of four Hudson police officers who displayed extraordinary honesty and courage in cleansing the Hudson Police Department. He emphasized that their collective actions were instrumental in eradicating official corruption and creating an environment that attracted tourists and new residents, ultimately transforming the city.
Mr. Czajka stated in the letter that the residents of Columbia County had placed their trust in him to safeguard their families, fellow citizens, and the community at large. This trust was expressed through their votes, electing him as district attorney, county judge, and subsequently as district attorney once again.
“I am incredibly grateful for the immense honor you have bestowed upon me. I cannot express enough how much this means to me,” he expressed with deep appreciation.
In a conversation with The Columbia Paper on Wednesday, Chief Moore shared that Paul, who was seven years older, had a close friendship with his brother and acted as a supportive older sibling figure to him.
According to the chief, he described the individual as the most ethical person he had ever encountered. He deliberately chose a challenging path to earn a living and consistently supported those who had been victimized.
In 2023, when questioned about his decision not to run for another term, Mr. Czajka simply stated, “It’s time.” Although he didn’t disclose his plans for retirement, he made one thing clear: “I won’t be milking cows again.”
