In the Spotlight

Nixon: "Stirring ceremony touches hearts of all who witness it"

Attorney General Nixon helped honor the memory of fallen Missouri law enforcement officers on May 3 at the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony, held next to the Law Enforcement Memorial on the north side of the state Capitol. The names of six Missouri officers who died in the line of duty in 2007 were added to the memorial, along with the names of two officers who gave their lives in years past.

"This ceremony stands as a reminder that in every decade and every generation, there are those who take on the responsibility for the safety of society - quietly and without fanfare, they face danger everyday to protect us," Nixon told the group of law enforcement officers, surviving family members and friends.

Above, officers bow their heads in a moment of prayer during the ceremony.

MOVA honors Nixon for leadership on crime victim issues

The statewide Missouri Victim Assistance (MOVA) network honored Attorney General Nixon for his dedication and support for the rights of crime victims with an award at the annual Buchanan County Crime Victims' Rights Week breakfast in St. Joseph on April 18. MOVA President Shana Morrison presented the award to Nixon; she is pictured with the Attorney General and with Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Scroggins.

The award from MOVA salutes the Attorney General "in appreciation of 16 years of being a friend and advocate of protecting the rights of crime victims."

During his tenure as Attorney General, Nixon has been a leader in calling for greater access to courtroom proceedings and increased notification of hearings for victims. Nixon has also been at the forefront in providing important information to Missourians about resources available to crime victims.

Nixon praises courage of crime victims and their families

Addressing the annual crime victims' rights rally held in the Capitol rotunda for the 16th and final time as Missouri's Attorney General, Jay Nixon praised the courage of crime victims and their families in working for an increased role in being heard in the justice system. Nixon said much has been accomplished in Missouri in the past 20 years to give greater rights to crime victims, but that law enforcement and crime victims must speak with a united voice -- particularly in pushing for the restoration of critical federal funding to fight crime and provide victim services.