Post by lace on Nov 18, 2006 23:43:52 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]Group honors murder victims
Loved ones remembered [/glow]
By Tyra M. Vaughn,
Staff Writer
Terrance Labron Rogers' photograph was displayed in a decorated frame on a table alongside a dozen other pictures at the First Baptist Church in Leland.
His mother, Linda Rogers Southerland, sat in a wooden pew in the audience remembering her son and best friend.
Terrance did not have much in common with the other men, women and children whose pictures were also displayed before July 1999, but now he's among the 100 murder victims around Southeastern North Carolina who were being remembered Friday night at the Justice for Citizens 11th annual Candlelight Memorial Service.
"It doesn't get any easier coming here," said Southerland, who has attended the event the past seven years, with tears in her eyes. "But I do it in honor of my son."
[glow=red,2,300]The program is a remembrance ceremony for the friends and families of people who have been killed by a drunken driver, domestic violence or other homicide. [/glow]
"It's a celebration of our loved ones' lives and a time to remember them," said Birdie Frink, founder
of the group Justice for Citizens.
Justice for Citizens is a support group for the families of victims of violent crimes. Brink and eight crime victims founded the group in 1994 after Brink's 18-year-old daughter was murdered when she was beaten, stabbed and run over by a car. The suspect was arrested four years after the crime was committed.
Justice for Citizens also lobbies the state legislature for laws in support of crime victims.
The memorial service included music and a candlelight vigil where the names were called and a candle was lit in honor of each murder victim. Candles were also lit in honor of fallen military soldiers and police officers.
Each of the church's 28 pews were filled with people. Members of area law enforcement agencies also attended.
"It's startling that each year the list continues to grow," Frink said. "It's horrible. We started out with 25 names, and now it has grown to 100."
Jon Evans from WWAY-TV3 was the event's announcer, while William P. Hart, senior deputy attorney general, offered words of encouragement to the crowd.
"We've come a long way in my 30 years in law enforcement," he said. "We've got DNA samples that's allowed us to solve more crimes in the last 20 months than we have in the last 10 years."
He also encouraged the audience to continue to lobby the legislature.
"Please, while remembering these victims, don't become complacent," Hart said. "Please continue to be the voice for victims."
For Sylvia West of Myrtle Beach, the event brings comfort and solace to her and allows her to remember her daughter who was murdered five years ago.
"I missed last year's ceremony, and I told myself I wouldn't miss another," West said. "It's too important of a thing. It helps with my healing."
Tyra M. Vaughn: 343-2070
tyra.vaughn@starnewsonline.com
Loved ones remembered [/glow]
By Tyra M. Vaughn,
Staff Writer
Terrance Labron Rogers' photograph was displayed in a decorated frame on a table alongside a dozen other pictures at the First Baptist Church in Leland.
His mother, Linda Rogers Southerland, sat in a wooden pew in the audience remembering her son and best friend.
Terrance did not have much in common with the other men, women and children whose pictures were also displayed before July 1999, but now he's among the 100 murder victims around Southeastern North Carolina who were being remembered Friday night at the Justice for Citizens 11th annual Candlelight Memorial Service.
"It doesn't get any easier coming here," said Southerland, who has attended the event the past seven years, with tears in her eyes. "But I do it in honor of my son."
[glow=red,2,300]The program is a remembrance ceremony for the friends and families of people who have been killed by a drunken driver, domestic violence or other homicide. [/glow]
"It's a celebration of our loved ones' lives and a time to remember them," said Birdie Frink, founder
of the group Justice for Citizens.
Justice for Citizens is a support group for the families of victims of violent crimes. Brink and eight crime victims founded the group in 1994 after Brink's 18-year-old daughter was murdered when she was beaten, stabbed and run over by a car. The suspect was arrested four years after the crime was committed.
Justice for Citizens also lobbies the state legislature for laws in support of crime victims.
The memorial service included music and a candlelight vigil where the names were called and a candle was lit in honor of each murder victim. Candles were also lit in honor of fallen military soldiers and police officers.
Each of the church's 28 pews were filled with people. Members of area law enforcement agencies also attended.
"It's startling that each year the list continues to grow," Frink said. "It's horrible. We started out with 25 names, and now it has grown to 100."
Jon Evans from WWAY-TV3 was the event's announcer, while William P. Hart, senior deputy attorney general, offered words of encouragement to the crowd.
"We've come a long way in my 30 years in law enforcement," he said. "We've got DNA samples that's allowed us to solve more crimes in the last 20 months than we have in the last 10 years."
He also encouraged the audience to continue to lobby the legislature.
"Please, while remembering these victims, don't become complacent," Hart said. "Please continue to be the voice for victims."
For Sylvia West of Myrtle Beach, the event brings comfort and solace to her and allows her to remember her daughter who was murdered five years ago.
"I missed last year's ceremony, and I told myself I wouldn't miss another," West said. "It's too important of a thing. It helps with my healing."
Tyra M. Vaughn: 343-2070
tyra.vaughn@starnewsonline.com