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Press Release

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of West Virginia

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY JOINS WITH GOVERNOR IN HONORING FALLEN HEROES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

AND TO COMMEMORATE NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK

Back the Blue:  Honoring Our Fallen Heroes, and Celebrating Law Enforcement’s Contributions to Crime Victims and Service

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Federal, state and local law enforcement and advocates of crime victims’ rights will join United States Attorney Mike Stuart in hosting an opening ceremony on Thursday, April 12, 2018, in the Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse in Charleston, and a Walk/Run for Justice on Friday, April 13, 2018, at Haddad Riverfront Park in Charleston.  Both events are being held in recognition of National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

This year’s local theme is “Back the Blue:  Law Enforcement’s Contributions to Crime Victims and Service.”  The ceremony and walk/run will honor and remember fallen law enforcement who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and celebrate those who continue to serve crime victims and the community.  As part of the event, the United States Attorney and the West Virginia Fraternal Order of Police will unveil a statewide tribute to our men and women in blue. 

West Virginia Governor James “Jim” Justice, II has issued a Proclamation ordering on April 13th at noon a statewide moment of silence be observed, at which time United States Attorney Mike Stuart has, in addition to the moment of silence, called for all houses of worship to toll their bells. 

This years’ events mark the 18th Annual Operation Reach Out event. Operation Reach Out is a collaborative group of federal, state and local agencies and organizations that work to raise awareness about the rights, protections, and services available to crime victims in West Virginia. This event is being held in conjunction with the nationwide observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, which begins on April 8 and runs through April 14, 2018. 

OPENING CEREMONY:

WHO:   United States Attorney Mike Stuart

            West Virginia Fraternal Order of Police

            Operation Reach Out committee members

            Other federal, state and local officials

            Families of fallen heroes of law enforcement

            Staff of United States Attorney's Office, Southern District of West Virginia

WHAT:   Operation Reach Out Opening Ceremony for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week – Back the Blue

WHERE:  Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse – Fifth Floor
              300 Virginia Street, East
              Charleston, WV  25301

WHEN:   Thursday, April 12, 2018, at noon. The ceremony will immediately follow a reception and lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. 

 

WALK/RUN FOR JUSTICE & PRE-RACE CEREMONY:

WHO:       United States Attorney Mike Stuart 

                James Bailey, Senior Counsel to Governor Jim Justice

                Major General James A. Hoyer, West Virginia National Guard 

                Operation Reach Out committee members

                Survivors of Crime

                Other federal, state and local officials

                Staff of United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of West Virginia

WHAT:     Walk/Run for Justice and Pre-Race Ceremony

WHERE:    Haddad Riverfront Park     

                Kanawha Boulevard

               Charleston, WV

WHEN:     Friday, April 13, 2018.  Registration to begin at 11:00 a.m.  Ceremony at 11:30 a.m.  Race at noon.

 

Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart 


 
 
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Updated April 11, 2018