District Attorney Michael Ramos joined a crowd of hundreds of victims of crime and community leaders today in the San Bernardino County Government Center Rotunda to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Sponsored by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, the event took place from 12-1 p.m., and started with an invocation by Bishop Gerald Barnes of the Diocese of San Bernardino.
Community organizations dedicated to providing resources and programs for victims were on hand outside the county building to share information with the public.
Following the presentation of the Colors by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Honor Guard, Sheriff John McMahon led the crowd of approximately 400 in the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
District Attorney Ramos then discussed the importance having such an event.
“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.”
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.
Speakers included District Attorney Ramos and Russell Perry. Perry is the son of Upland church Deacon Phillip Perry, who was murdered in 1992.
After Russell Perry spoke, Ramos presented the Award for Exemplary Service to Victims of Crime to the Physicians of the Children’s Assessment Center (CAC). Doctors Clare Sheridan, Amy Young and Mark Massi accepted the award on behalf of the CAC.
Located in San Bernardino, the primary function of the Children’s Assessment Center is to provide forensic interviews and evidentiary medical exams for sexually and physically abused children in a child-friendly environment.
“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.”
The event was capped off 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.
“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.”
We need to show them, even as ordinary citizens, that they are not alone in their search for truth and justice. They, especially the children, need to know that we support and care for them.