VENTURA, CA - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with a ceremony and march on Wednesday, April 25, 2012. We invite all to attend and join our collective reflection and recommitment to victims’ rights and services. The program will begin at 11:45 a.m. at the Ventura County Government Center, Hall of Administration, Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 800 South Victoria Avenue in Ventura.

This year’s ceremony will include remarks by Ms. Gabriella Aguirre, daughter of slain Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy Peter Aguirre. Deputy Aguirre was murdered in the line of duty on July 17, 1996, while investigating a family disturbance in the Ojai area.

Additionally, the District Attorney will present the Crime Victims’ Rights award to Ventura County Sheriff’s Senior Deputy Ryan Clark and Deputy William Hollowell for their work in a Lockwood Valley case in which a ten-week-old baby was murdered.

Following the program will be the March for Victims around the Government Center. Lunch will be provided by Interface Children Family Services, the Coalition for Family Harmony, and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. This event is free and open to the public.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, first recognized in 1981, is April 22-28, 2012. This year’s theme – Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim – celebrates the vision behind the progress in advancing victims’ rights and the ideal of serving all victims of crime.