Victims of violent crime honored at Palm Desert vigil

Victims of violent crime are being honored this week in Riverside County. Wednesday night, District Attorney Mike Hestrin held a candle light vigil in Palm Desert as part of Victim’s Rights Week.

Victim’s names were read aloud and candles were lit in their honor.

“He was murdered trying to help a friend of his,” said Elma Guerrero, as she remembered her son, a victim of violent crime, who died seven years ago.

More than 160 victims were honored. Some victims were displayed on poster boards.

“Looking at these posters, I feel like I know them, because I see them year after year,” Guerrero said. For us, it left a big void in our hearts that will never be filled. But we continue on, day by day, that’s what we hope for, the strength to continue.”

The keynote speaker was Denise Rodriguez Bowman. She’s a Forensic Services Coordinator and Child Forensic Interviewer.

“Tonight is really about talking about resilience and hope,” Bowman said. “I hear the stories. I hear the children’s stories. I want parents to understand we have to be vigilant. We have to be aware. We have to not look away when we hear something. We have to say something.”

Some of her work is part of a larger effort to prevent violent crimes across Riverside County.

“We’re obviously combating crime. Thats the forefront on our minds. We’re tough on crime. We take a hard line on gangs and guns and violence. We’re working very hard to keep the crime rate down,” District Attorney Mike Hestrin said.

This is the second of three planned vigils throughout the county, all apart of Victims’ Rights Week.

The final vigil will be held on April 12, beginning with a brief ceremony outside the Riverside Historic Courthouse, 4050 Main St., from which attendees will walk and gather at the Victims’ Memorial Courtyard, adjacent to the D.A.’s headquarters at 3960 Orange St.