PHOTO RELEASE: AG Honors Crime Victim Advocates

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody today honored victim advocates and law enforcement officers for extraordinary efforts in assisting and protecting crime victims. Attorney General Moody presented awards at the annual ceremony commemorating National Crime Victims’ Rights Week at the Florida Capitol. This year’s theme is: Honoring Our Past. Creating Hope for the Future.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “These incredible individuals from across our great state were instrumental in helping survivors of sexual assaults, human trafficking and senior fraud. They have comforted family members who lost loved ones to gruesome murders. Our state is better because of the passionate and dedicated way these professionals approach their work, and it is an honor to recognize them for their service.”

The Florida Crime Victims' Bill of Rights states, “Victims of crime or their lawful representatives, including the next of kin of homicide victims, are entitled to the right to be informed, to be present, and to be heard when relevant, at all crucial stages of criminal proceedings, to the extent that these rights do not interfere with the constitutional rights of the accused.”

The following individuals received the Attorney General’s Distinguished Victim Services Award:

· Detective Ken Barrett, Indian River Shores Public Safety Department
· Fawnisha Brown, Tallahassee Police Department
· Kerry Clarke, Sunrise Police Department
· Sergeant Edward Diaz, Hallandale Beach Police Department
· Detective Rodney Grass, Indian River Shores Public Safety Department
· Sara LaTorre, Tallahassee Police Department
· Detective Cheyenne Meyer, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
· Lauren Tomberlin, State Attorney’s Office, Second Judicial Circuit
· Annaliese Wierenga, Tallahassee Police Department

To watch the full ceremony, click here.

For more information on crime victim services offered by the Florida Attorney General’s Office, click here.

To learn more about National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, click here.