Victims remembered in 3rd annual vigil

In the glow of dozens of candles lit in the remembrance of a lost life, a sister offered a song of love and support in memory of her lost twin. 

The Highland County Victim/Witness Program held its third annual candlelight vigil Thursday evening at the Hillsboro Church of Christ to commemorate National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

Victims, family members of victims, court staff, county officials and law enforcement officers gathered for the annual memorial to pay tribute to the lives that have been lost and to bring awareness of the importance of victims' rights. 

The lights were dimmed and candles were lit as Elaina Gibson took the stage to sing "I Won't Let Go." Program director Barbara Shoemaker said the last time Gibson had sung the song was four years ago at her twin sister Elizabeth's memorial, following her death in a car crash. 

At her request, the crowd joined in singing as well: 

"It's like a storm that cuts a path
It breaks your will, It feels like that
You think you're lost, but you're not lost
On your own, you're not alone 

Rob Shoaff, lead minister at the Hillsboro Church of Christ, opened the evening with a prayer, saying thanks "for a sense of unity as we celebrate life here tonight" and asking for strength to deal with "injustice ... and give hope in a world that can be transformed by people with love." 

Shoemaker said that the theme for the 2012 National Crime Victims' Rights Week is "Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim."

Introducing Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins, Shoemaker said, "Her dedication to victims of crime is immeasurable."

Collins said that her appreciation for the work done by the victim/witness program preceded her work in the prosecutor's office, after her family experienced the support of a victims' advocate group following the death of her brother in a car crash. 

"This office is very near and dear to my heart," Collins said. "Tonight we honor the victims, pay tribute to accomplishments (and continue to work toward) easing the suffering of those hurt by crimes. We can reach every victim if we make a conscious effort." 

Collins said that a person does not have to be an official volunteer to lend its support to the program; all they need to do is be "a caring, compassionate person who recognizes suffering. A simple act of reaching out can be the key to a victim's recovery." 

As she looked around the room, Collins said that she sees people that, "I have cried with one minute and cheered with the next. Thank you for allowing me to name you as a friend." 

Highland County Juvenile and Probate Court Judge Kevin Greer said that he was working in the Highland County Prosecutor's Office in the 1990s when then-prosecutor Rocky Coss (now,the judge of Highland County Common Pleas Court General Division) worked toward starting the local program. 

In 1994, Greer said, voters made the victims' rights a part of the Ohio constitution, which endeavors to see that all victims are treated "fairly, with dignity and respect, and most importantly, all victims of crime must be afforded a meaningful part of the criminal process." 

In Highland County Juvenile Court, Greer said, the victim/witness program helps them to "restore the victims to where they were prior to the criminal act committed by the juvenile." 

They have also helped prepare very young children who have to testify before the court.

Greer also praised the work of Collins and her office, saying that "there's no substitute for hard work. The office, under her direction, puts in the work. The effort is there, and that is why you're getting these good results." 

Gail Stroop, a new victim advocate, spoke about the tragedy that led her to begin volunteering for the program. Her husband, Henry Stroop, was killed in a car crash in September 2010. The drivers of the two vehicle that struck her husband's car ultimately each pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide. 

"We're here to pay homage to our lost loved ones, though we are also victims," said Stroop, who was wearing a badge with her husband's photo on it. "I will admit that until I lost my husband, I did not know about the program."

Stroop now volunteers her time being there for others who are experiencing the loss of a loved one. 

"They seek justice for all victims for all types of crime," she said. "It is an honor to speak for those victims who cannot speak for themselves." 

Detective Sergeant Richard Warner of the Highland County Sheriff's Office spoke about the role the program plays when law enforcement must do the notification of a death or continue investigations. 

"The come out at all hours, days and night, holidays and weekends," Warner said. "You give up time away from your families to help people you have never met before." 

Warner said that he does not know of a time when victim/witness personnel have been called when they have not made it to the scene. He even spoke about a time when Shoemaker was out of town when she received a request from the HCSO to assist with a family, and she dropped everything to return to Highland County. 

"You allow us, as law enforcement, to focus on the investigation," Warner said. "We thank all of you for doing what you do." 

A group from Noreen's School of Dance gave a performance to the song "Concrete Angel," paying tribute to children suffering from child abuse.

Shoemaker thanked the personnel and volunteers who work with the program and with area victims, along with other county agencies and law enforcement, including: Teresa Wisecup, victim/witness administrative assistant and advocate; Valarie Watson, victim/witness juvenile court advocate; Betty Jackman, county court advocate; volunteers Dan Benkiel, John Dodds, Patty Taylor, Kay McCreight, Glenda Igo, Candy Matthews and Gail Stroop; the Adult Probation Authority, The Highland County Probation Department, the Highland County Prosecutor's Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Highland County Sheriff's Office, Hillsboro Police Department, Lynchburg Police Department, Greenfield Police Department, Leesburg Police Department, Mowrystown Police Department, the Highland County Board of Commissioners and Highland District Hospital. 

At the close of the ceremonies, Benkiel offered a closing prayer.  

"I pray we never forget the lives that have been taken," he said.