Crime victims honored, remembered at Flower Ceremony

Mitch Miller held a flower Tuesday in memory of his brother-in-law, Ralph Lape Jr., who was murdered in 2002, while also holding a photo of his grandson to show that life goes on during the Flower Ceremony for Victims of Crime at Cape Girardeau County Park. This year's theme for National Crime Victims' Rights Week was Justice for Victims, Justice for All. Organized by the Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney's victim and witness services office and the local office of the Department of Probation and Parole, this year's Flower Ceremony was attended by members of the public, crime victims and their friends and families, law enforcement, and agencies and individuals who provide support to victims. The purpose of the ceremony is to honor and remember all victims of crimes. For more information on crime victims' rights, call Beth Garoutte, crime victim advocate, at 204-2315 or go to www.showme.net/~capegadm/pa/INETVICTIM&WITNESSPROGRAM.htm.