JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tuesday was the day for honoring the men and women who have demonstrated outstanding achievements and leadership in the name of crime victims.
Seven people were honored at the annual awards luncheon during Victims' Rights Week downtown.
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The winners represented categories, including a courageous victim, an outstanding victim advocate, a judicial advocate, a law enforcement member and an advocate from the media.
LaTresa Henderson, an integral part of Jacksonville Naval Air Station, was honored for her outstanding work helping sexual assault survivors and staying ahead of the curve in sexual assault prevention and response within the Department of Defense.
Recognized as an outstanding victim advocate, Brandy Stronko was honored for assisting the families affected by violence through her stellar work in the State Attorney's Office.
Judicial victim advocate Lee Smith II, working as the Fourth Circuit Traffic Homicide Division Chief, made a huge difference through the IMPACT program, which seeks to help middle and high school students overcome the issues affecting them. Lee is also an outstanding advocate for the families impacted by vehicular homicide.
As part of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Violent Crimes Task Force, Detective Greg Howard has spent his time investigating firearm crimes and aggravated assault and battery cases. He has been exemplary in reaching out to Jacksonville's youth, whether through mentoring programs or through the YMCA youth programs he runs.
Detective Jacob G. DeVevo stood out for his work in breaking open a tragic underage sexual abuse case where he worked intimately with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Department of Children and Families, just one of the 115 cases he's handled to date.
News4Jax investigator Vic Micolucci was also honored and awarded for his work with the families of crime victims.
Another winner was Fran Futrill, who was honored for her volunteer work with the Justice Coalition. Futrill's daughter Mary was murdered in 2002 in Fort Caroline. That case is still unsolved.
Futrill said she found an outlet in volunteering and helping others.
"I got involved with the Justice Coalition (in 2003). I met Ms. Ann Dugger at a candlelight vigil. I went over to her office one day, and she offered to let me do some things for her, and I just stayed all these years. It's been rewarding."