Over 400 Attend Crime Victims’ Rights Week Memorial Ceremony

From: ROTWNEWS.com

By Michael P. Neufeld 4/8/14

San Bernardino, CA – Over 400 crime victims, surviving families of homicide victims and those involved in assisting crime victims gathered at the San Bernardino County Government Center for a Victims’ Rights Week Memorial Ceremony. The event — hosted by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office — started at high noon with an invocation by Bishop Gerald Barnes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino.

San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner John McMahon led the flag salute after the presentation of the color by the Sheriff’s Honor Guard.

 

THE PROGRAM

“As prosecutors, fighting for victims is our passion every day of the year, but this day is an important time for all of us to come together and raise awareness in support of victims’ rights,” District Attorney Ramos said.

“We need to show the families who have lost loved ones that that we care about their losses and that we realize their pain is something that lasts an eternity,” District Attorney Michael Ramos explained.

Throughout the event, members of the Redlands East Valley High School Choir—under the direction of Rita Stephens and Dr. Ed Yarnell—performed songs of tribute and reflection.

he event concluded with a moving tribute to our county’s fallen law enforcement officers, as Deputy Sheriff John Hayes—standing beside the bronze Officer Down memorial—played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.

VIOLENT CRIME STATISTICS

Last year the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office filed the following:

* 88 murder cases

* 191 attempted murder cases

* 55 manslaughter cases

* 2,932 domestic violence cases

* 2,635 cases related to assault, rape, carjacking, torture, Kidnapping, mayhem, false imprisonment and battery.