The Crime Victims’ Memorial Service is an annual event that is held in four parts of Maryland; Northern, Southern Eastern, and Western. The western region includes Montgomery, Carroll, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett counties. Each prosecuting office within those counties takes a turn hosting the event, along with the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services.  

 

The one-hour program includes a guest speaker, performers singing, a proclamation, and most importantly, a reading of the names of survivors lost throughout the years within our region. This event includes survivors partaking in reading those names, a poem, and responsive reading, along with carrying a banner reflecting the loved ones’ names and a message from their respected families.

 

This service is always the kickoff to Crime Victims’ Rights Week and is a commemorative event with special meaning to these families. The service is open to the public and will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 11507 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740. If unable to attend in person, the service can be viewed on the Washington County Government Facebook and Youtube pages via live stream.

 

In addition to the memorial service, there will also be a Color Splash Walk at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 29, 2022, at Fairgrounds Park in Hagerstown, MD. Information for the walk can be found on the flyer below.