Today, the Department of Justice recognized Detective Kevin
Rivers of the Gila River Police Department and Special Agent Sherry C. Rice of
the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the Federal Service Award during the
annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. This
honor is awarded to federal agency personnel whose work affects victims of
federal, tribal, or military crimes or promotes victims’ rights and services
nationally and internationally.
“Those of us in law enforcement are sworn to serve and
protect,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “Special Agent Sherry Rice and
Detective Kevin Rivers have done just that.
Through their hard work and dedication, they have brought closure and
relief to girls in the Gila River Indian Community who have suffered at the
hands of a suspected predator. I want to
thank them for their courage and outstanding service in investigating this case
and ensuring that justice was served.”
Rivers and Rice led the investigation into a child sex
offender who was suspected of crimes in the Gila River Indian Community over
the course of 30 years. Rivers’ and Rice’s leadership led to charges against
the suspect for crimes related to sexual assault involving seven different
victims.
“Detective Rivers and Special Agent Rice’s tireless
leadership brought a dark and painful chapter in the Gila River Indian
Community to an end,” said Director of the Office for Victims of Crime Darlene
Hutchinson. “The Department of Justice is proud to honor them for their
remarkable contributions and for their commitment to justice for all
individuals victimized by crime.”
During today’s ceremony, the Justice Department recognized a
dozen individuals and organizations for their outstanding efforts on behalf of
victims of crime. Awardees were selected from public nominations in ten
categories.
Each year in April, the Department of Justice observes
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week by taking time to honor victims of crime
and those who advocate on their behalf. In addition, the Justice Department and
U.S. Attorney’s Offices organize events to honor the victims and advocates, as
well as bring awareness to services available to victims of crime. This year’s
observance takes place April 8-14, with the theme Expand the Circle: Reach All
Victims.
The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime,
within the Office of Justice Programs, leads communities across the country in
observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week each year. President Ronald
Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in 1981 to
bring greater sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime.
The Office of Justice Programs provides innovative
leadership to federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems, by disseminating
state-of-the art knowledge and practices across America, and providing grants
for the implementation of these crime fighting strategies. Because most of the
responsibility for crime control and prevention falls to law enforcement
officers in states, cities, and neighborhoods, the federal government can be
effective in these areas only to the extent that it can enter into partnerships
with these officers. More information about the Office of Justice Programs and
its components can be found at www.ojp.gov. More information about Crime
Victim’s Rights Week can be found at https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/.
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