Dena J. King, Victim Advocate Awards, North Carolina 2023

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In a poignant ceremony, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina paid tribute to the unsung heroes of the justice system – the advocates who tirelessly work to support crime victims and their families. The annual Distinguished Victim Services Award ceremony, held during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), recognized 11 outstanding individuals for their professionalism, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to delivering justice and providing victims with the support they need in the aftermath of crime.

The ceremony, held on [date], was a testament to the dedication and hard work of the honorees, who were selected for their exceptional service to crime victims and their families. U.S. Attorney Dena J. King praised the recipients, saying, ‘National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is an opportunity to honor and recognize outstanding individuals and organizations for their efforts to advocate on behalf of crime victims, and for their exceptional commitment to the pursuit of justice for victims and their families.’

The 11 award recipients were selected for their outstanding work in various fields, including law enforcement, criminal justice, support staff, and victim advocacy. The honorees included Deputy David Coffman of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, who received the Outstanding Law Enforcement Award; Assistant U.S. Attorney William Bozin and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lambert Guinn, who received the Outstanding Criminal Justice Professional Award; and Adelaide Auman and Migdalia Cortes of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, who received the Outstanding Victim Advocate Award.

Present Age Ministries of Concord, North Carolina, also received the Outstanding Victim Advocate Award. The organization’s tireless efforts to support crime victims and their families were recognized for their exceptional commitment to delivering justice and providing victims with the support they need. Other honorees included Supervisory Legal Assistant Pamela Burgess, Student Intern Marim Habib, and Tracey Bernstein of the Holiday Inn City Center, who received the Outstanding Support Staff Award, and Demetria Brittingham of the U.S. Marshals Service, who received the Outstanding USAO Partner Award.

The ceremony was a poignant reminder of the importance of victim advocacy and the need for continued support and resources for those affected by crime. As U.S. Attorney King noted, ‘This year’s recipients were selected for their professionalism, their advocacy, their superior service to crime victims, and their unwavering commitment to making sure that crime victims, crime survivors, and their families have equal access to the resources and services they are entitled to on their path to recovery.’

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina is committed to supporting crime victims and their families through its Victim/Witness Assistance Program. For more information, please visit [link].

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