Crime Victims’ Rights Week Candlelight Vigil

It’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and today people from all walks of life, including survivors and law enforcement, gathered at First Baptist Church of Gulfport for a candlelight ceremony honoring crime victims and their loved ones.

Vanessa Mauffray was 19-years-old and had her whole life ahead of her when it was cut tragically short in a boating accident at the hands of a negligent boat operator back in 2016.

Nearly five years later, the loss weighs heavily on her parents and other loved ones. Gone, but not forgotten, as representatives from law enforcement agencies throughout South Mississippi lined up to light candles in her memory. W. Crosby Parker prosecutes many of these crimes. “Today allowed us to come together as a community and not only honor and celebrate those individuals we have lost, but also to recognize all the providers in the community-based organizations that helped victims not only in the justice process, but also the healing process.”

Three South Mississippians were acknowledged for their ongoing efforts to help crime victims and their families on this journey.

Master Sgt. Patrick Carron with the Department of Marine Resources, Nancy Barrett with Child Protective Services, and Daniel Dooley with the Mississippi Child Advocacy Center all received awards at the candlelight ceremony, but everyone in uniform here has played a role in helping survivors and bringing perpetrators to justice. Gulfport Police Chief Chris Ryle said, “It’s just a great day to honor our victims, and let them know they have not been forgotten.”

According to the most recent survey by the Bureau of Justice, 1.2 million people fell victim to violent crimes in 2019, a significant decrease from the year before, but this ceremony is to bring remembrance to those who have been impacted or lost their lives through violent crime. Biloxi Police Chief John Miller said, “It’s important not only for law enforcement, but certainly for victims and their families. The District Attorney’s Office, W. Crosby Parker, they do a great job. I feel like he really spoke from the heart today. It’s a really wonderful thing.”