It was a jarring reminder of what it takes to be a judge: Honesty/integrity, knowledge of the law, a keen analytical mind, fairness, compassion, a long attention span, a sense of when to assert oneself — and courage.

On Monday afternoon, someone called 911, indicating that someone was going to shoot a judge. A few minutes later, another call went to state District Judge Michael Vigil's office, from someone saying he was on his way to kill the judge.

Police response was swift: The courthouse area at Grant Avenue and Catron Street was put under lockdown; so, for good measure, were Carlos Gilbert Elementary School across Catron; City Hall east on Marcy Street; and the post office kitty-corner from the court. A couple of hours later, the kids were police-escorted from the school, and soon after that, courthouse roadblocks were lifted. The district's judges had their homes protected.

By nightfall, sheriff's deputies had arrested 22-year-old Steven A. Martínez of Chimayó on an outstanding warrant involving burglaries. He now faces a new charge tied to those phone calls: use of the telephone to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, annoy or offend — a misdemeanor. Can you believe that? This is a law in need of toughening, especially when it comes to our judiciary.

For Judge Vigil, for his colleagues and for the entire court staff, as well as lawyers and clients, it was a harrowing time; same for the many worried parents, teachers and students of Carlos Gilbert, along with the postal people and customers.

The incident brought home concerns being felt nationwide on behalf of our courts: In scattered cases, judges have been murdered — in their homes and in their courtrooms, despite increased security measures.

Federal and state law enforcers are on alert: They've got to be sure our judicial system remains inviolate; the rule of law, in the words of a national judicial-security official, is "the core of our civil liberties."

Our judges have to be independent — of intimidation, of bribery and of political influence. They take their impartiality seriously — and for that, they deserve honor, gratitude and respect from the people and the justice system they serve.

And in these days when our system seems under a new wave of violence, aided by criminal use of technology, they need effective security. Yesterday's Washington Post pointed up dangers faced even by our nation's administrative judges. And in yesterday's New Mexican, Geoff Grammer conveyed the local drama sparked by someone with vile motives.

We salute Sheriff Greg Solano and the many officers who converged so quickly on the courthouse. At the same time, our community knows we need a new, far more secure, judicial-district building.

It's been in the works for a couple of years, amid criticism over its location, its bulk and the environmental hazards raised by building it where gasoline stations long leaked their stock in trade. Obstacles to its construction at Sandoval Street and Montezuma Avenue have been valid; it was a bad choice of building lots, and county leaders poorly served the community by stonewalling state environmental officials' longstanding request to put pollution-monitoring wells on the site.

A relocated courthouse would be well on its way to serving — and protecting — our judiciary. As it is, the lot's cleanup drags along.

Until the First Judicial District gets the secure and up-to-date building it badly needs, Monday's threat shows Santa Feans at least a couple of things: 

 The court's protection system, under county-sheriff administration, is impressively effective under the circumstances, which include a court building that's far behind the times.

 But Sheriff Solano, and Robert García, who replaces him in January, are on notice. They've got to be on guard against — and, when possible, anticipate — threats to our judges.