DES MOINES, Iowa – The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa join federal, state, and local communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and celebrating victims’ rights, protections, and services. This year’s observance takes place April 21-27, 2024, and features the theme, “How would you help? Options, services, and hope for crime survivors,” which is focused on creating safe environments for crime victims to share what happened to them and offer support, options for life-saving services, and most importantly, hope. The 2024 theme asks all of us—friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, victim service providers, criminal justice practitioners, and health professionals—how we can help crime victims.
As part of this observance, the Southern District of Iowa recognizes the courage and bravery of victims, and the outstanding work of law enforcement, victim advocates, and community service partners throughout Iowa. Ten individuals are recognized for outstanding service to victims:
Award for Excellence in Victim Services
- Shannon Knudsen, SANE, S.A.F.E. Center of Iowa
- Emily Milke, IL Sexual Assault Medical/Legal Advocate, Family Resources
- Lindsay Wilson, Victim Advocate, Family Crisis Centers
Law Enforcement Victim Service Award
- Josh Dagit, Special Agent, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation
- Kegan Jacobson, Detective, Burlington Police Department
- Kevin Kohler, Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Robert Larsen, Special Agent, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
- Denise Rudolph, Special Investigator, Iowa Insurance Division
- Chris Scanlan, Special Investigator, Iowa Insurance Division
- Jeremy Tosh, Investigator, Ottumwa Police Department
The 2024 Law Enforcement Victim Service Award recognizes the performance of Josh Dagit, Special Agent, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, and Jeremy Tosh, Investigator, Ottumwa Police Department. Special Agent Dagit and Investigator Tosh provided extraordinary assistance to hundreds of immigrant victims in the investigation and prosecution of a fraudulent tax scheme. Those immigrants were literally from all over the world—Burma, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mexico, and other places. Some were refugees. Nearly all had little education and were unable to speak or read English. Special Agent Dagit and Investigator Tosh showed time and time again that they were willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the victims’ participation and comfort, all in hopes of justice being served.
President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, putting crime victims’ rights, needs, and concerns in a prominent spot on the American agenda. He also established the President’s Task Force on Victims of Crime, which laid the groundwork for a national network of services and legal safeguards for crime victims.
For more information on how to create your own public campaigns to raise awareness about crime victims’ rights online and at events throughout the year, please visit: https://ovc.ojp.gov/ncvrw2024.
