Tennessee Season to Remember Honors Homicide Victims

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam joined families of homicide victims to honor their loved ones tonight in the annual “Tennessee Season to Remember” event.

“We’re all neighbors in Tennessee, and showing concern for our neighbors is the right thing to do,” Haslam said. “This event gives friends and families who have lost loved ones to violent crime a chance to pay tribute to lives lost, while also comforting brave survivors with the support of their fellow Tennesseans.”

 

During this evening’s ceremony in the House Chambers of the State Capitol, families and friends placed commemorative ornaments on three memorial wreaths as the names of their loved ones were read aloud. The wreaths will be on display in the Capitol throughout the holiday season.

 

“Bill and I are honored to be part of this important event,” Mrs. Haslam said. “We are also grateful to the state’s criminal justice agencies for making this compassionate ceremony an ongoing tradition.”

 

Prosecutors and victim witness coordinators from Tennessee’s Judicial Districts were also present and hung ornaments in remembrance of the victims they have represented. District Attorney General Mike Dunavant of Ripley hung an ornament in remembrance of his wife, Jackie, who died in an alcohol-related crash. State Senator Charlotte Burks hung an ornament in remembrance of her husband, Senator Tommy Burks. Representatives of other criminal justice agencies also placed ornaments on the wreaths in honor of officers and other staff killed in the line of duty.

 

Guest speaker for the event was Mike Low of Batesville, Arkansas, whose daughter, Sara, was a flight attendant on American Airlines Flight 11, which crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Since his daughter’s death, Mr. Low has been an advocate for his daughter and other 9/11 victims. He speaks about his family’s experience and is also active in several victim advocacy groups.

 

Nick Beres, enterprise reporter and Morning Line host at Newschannel5 in Nashville, moderated the ceremony. Randall Dickerson of the Associated Press read the names of those who have lost their lives to violent crime. A flute ensemble from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro and the Agee Family of Spencer provided musical performances in memoriam to victims of violent crime.

 

The Board of Probation & Parole, the Department of Correction, the Department of Safety & Homeland Security, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Attorney General and Reporter, the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference and the Office of the State Treasurer organized this year’s event.

 

 

 

# # #