Crime Victims Honored

Residents of San Bernardino County came together on April 7th at the San Bernardino County Government Center Rotunda to honor individuals lost to violence and recognize the heartbroken loved ones left behind to mourn. The event marked San Bernardino’s first annual Victim’s Rights Memorial Week, a week dedicated to the remembrance of those killed in homicides. The keynote speaker of the program, District Attorney Michael A. Ramos, addressed the large audience with compassion and sympathy, offering supporting words for the families struggling with unmeasurable and unexpected loss. Ramos assured the families of victims in attendance that their loved ones would never be forgotten. “I will continue to push for a constitutional amendment for victims’ rights,” pledged Ramos, “families have rights as much as defendants and victims.” Following the “Pledge of Allegiance” led by San Bernardino County Sheriff, John McMahon, Ramos enlightened the crowd with the importance of having events such as this one. “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.” In addition to Ramos, Diocese of San Bernardino Bishop Gerald Barnes and attorney Russell Perry, the son of Upland church Deacon Phillip Perry, who was murdered in 1992, also expressed their condolence to the families of the victims. In Perry’s case, the pain of losing a loved one to homicide stays fresh in his mind and it is a pain that he shares he can never overcome. The failure to convict all those responsible in the murder of his father is one of the reasons that inspired Perry to become a member of the justice system, although he states that in the case of his father, “a truly just resolution cannot be found.” As a lawyer, Perry recognizes problems with the system, stating, “Justice is not always guaranteed but it is a goal society should always strive for.” Perry’s emotional speech exemplifies the pain family members carry around for the rest of their lives. The Physicians of the Children’s Assessment Center (CAC), who provides forensic interviews and evidentiary medical exams for sexually and physically abused children in a child-friendly environment, were presented the Award for Exemplary Service to Victims of Crime. Doctors Clare Sheridan, Amy Young and Mark Massi accepted the award on behalf of the CAC. “We couldn’t be more proud of the excellent work taking place at the Children’s Assessment Center, as well as our partnership with Loma Linda University Medical Center,” District Attorney Ramos said, “The work that each of these doctors performs on a daily basis not only allows us to better serve the child victims with the dignity they deserve, but it also strengthens our prosecutions against the perpetrators who prey upon them in the first place.” After receiving a standing ovation, Young continued to explain the importance of protecting children. “This county cares about children. We work hard from morning until night to prevent abuse and to look for those that are being abused. Today we promise to do more because we could not help victims in time.” The hour long event also featured members of the Redlands East Valley High School Choir – under the direction of Rita Stephens and Dr. Ed Yarnell – performing songs of tribute and reflection. Community organizations dedicated to providing resources and programs for victims set up outside the county building to share valuable, life-saving information about support groups and shelters in the area. Organizations such as Project Sister and Children’s Assessment Center aim at protecting abused women and children by offering them counseling and self-defense workshops. The organization Parents of Murdered Children was just one of the many booths present at the event. This particular organization offers ongoing support to the friends and families of those who have lost loved ones to violence. Agnes Gibboney and Faye Jenkins are two members of the Inland Empire chapter of the group. The murder of their children brought Gibboney and Jenkins together, and since their loss they have dedicated themselves to helping others through the grieving process. As expressed by Gibboney, the heartache of losing a child cannot be understood until experienced firsthand. “Before my son’s murder I used to feel sorry for parents who lost a child,” explains Gibboney, “but I didn’t understand it until it was my son that was murdered. If I could sacrifice my life so that no other parent had to experience the pain that I have experienced then I would do it, in a heartbeat.” The event was concluded with a powerful 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.