A solemn crowd gathered at Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to remember loved ones who perished as a result of violent crimes in Indian River County since 1981. Family members were joined by community leaders and local law enforcement representatives to pay tribute to those lives and the loved ones they left behind.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the lives of those that we lost to crimes and honor their memory,” said Paul Zelno, Indian River County Victims Rights Coalition president, following the presentation of colors by a multi-agency Color and Honor Guard.
The coalition hosted the annual tribute as part of its mission to increase awareness of victims’ issues and the services and support available to all victims of crime and their families.
“I had the honor of being with you last year and reading the names,” said Thomas Bakkedahl, state attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit, sharing that it had been “one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do as a professional.”
According to statistics, Bakkedahl said, 21,571 citizens lost their lives to violence in the United States during 2020.
“It’s a really shocking number. When you think of the number that I just mentioned in just the course of the year, we must always keep in mind that they’re not just numbers. They were human beings.”
Bakkedahl noted that while the victim should be at the center of the investigation and prosecution, society doesn’t always consider the collateral damage in a homicide case.
“While we have a victim who has lost his or her life, we have a family that must endure.
That must continue to go on in the absence of somebody so important to them. What’s more painful and more difficult is the lost future potential. The events in the future that you’ll no longer get to experience. The marriage, the birth, the walking a daughter down the aisle, watching your child graduate, seeing your grandchild for the first time,” said Bakkedahl.
Adjacent to the lectern was a wall filled with the photographs of the 170 crime victims who died in Indian River County. Their stories cut short. Ranging in age from 2 to 85, they were the victims of homicide, manslaughter, and DUI deaths by reckless endangerment.
After Ray Neville, City of Vero Beach vice mayor, read the name of each victim whose life was lost to violence, a bell rang out sharp and clear against the somber quiet permeating the island.
Duke Scales closed the ceremony with “Taps,” a final bugle call of respect and remembrance.
For more information, visit 19JCVRC.org.
Photos by Kaila Jones
