A Chance to Remember, April 7

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a time to honor crime victims, the surviving families of homicide victims, and those who work directly to assist victims of crime. Quick Facts •In 2013, the Bureau of Victim Services served 10,575 victims in San Bernardino County. •In the fiscal year 2012-13, the Bureau of Victim Services Claims Unit processed 3,690 claims and over $3.1 million dollars was paid out on behalf of victims. •In 2013, the Bureau of Victim Services Restitution Unit secured $829,833 in restitution and fine orders for the Victim Compensation Program. This year, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week will be observed April 6–12, 2014. This year’s theme, "30 Years Restoring the Balance of Justice,” celebrates three decades of extraordinary progress made on behalf of millions of victims since the passage of the Victims of Crime Act. District Attorney Michael Ramos shares, “This day is an important time for all of us to come together and raise awareness in support of victims’ rights. We need to show the families who have lost loved ones that that we care and that we realize their pain is something that lasts an eternity.” In honor of crime victims, this year the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office will hold a special memorial on Monday, April 7th at the San Bernardino County Government Center Rotunda from 12 to 1 p.m. The memorial will feature the Redlands East Valley Choir, under the direction of Rita Stevens. The singers will perform three tribute songs in honor of our county’s fallen victims. During the memorial, the District Attorney’s Office will present the Award for Exemplary Service to Victims of Crime to the Physicians of the Children’s Assessment Center. A bagpipe tribute will also take place beside the bronze “Officer Down” statue in honor of the county’s fallen officers. Guest speakers include Sheriff John McMahon, Russell Perry (son of Deacon Phil Perry, who was shot to death in 1992) and Bishop Gerald Barnes.