Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 04/26/06

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Larry Scoufos

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

CHAMPIONS OF COURAGE AWARDS PRESENTED AT
THIRD ANNUAL NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS LUNCHEON

Recipients for this year’s Champions of Courage Awards
Photograph by Pearci Bastiany

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that the National Crime Victims Rights luncheon was held yesterday in Sonoma County. Sally McCarthy, Director for the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Victim Assistance Center, helped organize the event to honor victims of crime and to recognize those individuals who provide outstanding services to those impacted by crime.

Ms. McCarthy noted that under District Attorney Passalacqua’s leadership, the luncheon has become an annual event since 2003. This year’s theme "Victims’ Rights: Strength in Unity" pays tribute to crime victims, survivors and victim service organizations who, for many years, have joined together in mutual support and advocacy to promote victims’ rights.

District Attorney Passalacqua said, "Today’s program recognizes the important work and collaborative efforts members of our community provide to those who have been victimized by crime. As a community, we collectively must help victims become survivors."

Newly-appointed Superior Court Judge Andrew Wick and Chief Deputy District Attorney Diana Gomez presented a resolution from the Board of Supervisors proclaiming April 23 - 29, 2006 as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Sonoma County.

Carmina Salcido was the special guest and recipient of the Courageous Survivor of Crime Award. At three years of age, she was the only survivor of a murderous rampage by her father, Ramon Salcido. He was convicted for the murders of seven people in 1989. The victims included Angela Salcido, Carmina’s mother, her sisters Sofia, age 4, and Teresa 22 months old, her aunts Ruth, age 12 and Marie, age 8 and her grandmother Marian Richards. He was also convicted of killing Tracy Toovey, a winemaker at the winery that employed Ramon Salcido. In addition to being convicted for the attempted murder of Carmina, Salcido was also convicted for the attempted murder of Ken Butti, a supervisor at the winery.

Carmina was raised by her adoptive parents and recently returned to Sonoma County to visit her mother’s relatives and reacquaint herself with the place she calls home. Retired Sonoma County Sheriff Captain Mike Brown and Retired Deputy District Attorney Peter Bumerts presented the award to Carmina and gave moving accounts of the investigation and prosecution of these horrific crimes. Carmina plans to write a book and hopes that by telling her story she can offer hope and encouragement to other victims of crime.

Champions of Courage Awards were also presented at the luncheon to the following:

Agency Awards: Memorial Hospice, Petaluma Hospice, and Sutter VNA & Hospice for their bereavement programs in helping families through the grief of losing a loved as the result of violent crime
Community Outreach Award: KBBF Radio for its outstanding outreach in bringing public awareness of crime victims’ rights to the Spanish speaking community
Advocate Award: Michelle Carstensen for her domestic violence advocacy in the District Attorney’s Office
Volunteer Awards: Linda Stevick for her volunteer efforts in providing over 750 handmade stuffed puppies to comfort children at the Redwood Children’s Center; and Millie Ito for her volunteer domestic violence advocacy work: in the District Attorney’s Office
Courageous Survivor of Crime Award: Kathy Johnson, a victim of domestic violence.

District Attorney Passalacqua stated, "We must continue to work together to make sure that the voice of crime victims is heard and victims are afforded the respect and dignity they deserve." He invited the public to a special Bell-Ringing Ceremony and Candlelight Vigil to be held on Thursday, April 27th at 6 p.m. at the at the Hall of Justice in Santa Rosa. The names of loved ones victimized by crime will be read and honored at this special event.

This event was sponsored by the District Attorney’s Office, the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chief’s Association, the YWCA, United Against Sexual Assault, and the Million Mom March