Attorney General Jay Jones Announces 2026 Unsung Heroes Award Recipients

RICHMOND, Va. – Attorney General Jay Jones is honored to announce the 2026 Unsung Heroes Award Ceremony. Held during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, this event shined a light on public servants who have shown exemplary work and dedication on behalf of crime victims.

“Awardees represent the heartbeat of public service. Demonstrating grit, perseverance, and compassion for others,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “National Crime Victim’s Rights Week is a reminder that we must break down the barriers that keep survivors from finding justice. My office will continue to carry this reminder and work to fight for survivors as strongly as this year’s class of awardees.”  

Pastor Belinda Baugh, New Divine Worship Center, Petersburg, VA

Marlene Bright, Community Outreach Coordinator, Norfolk Family Justice Center

Amy Cassandra, Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Fauquier County

Captain Benjamin Childers, Victims’ Legal Counsel, United States Marine Corps

Ashley Crews, Victim Services Specialist, Henrico County Victim Witness

Dawn Delacruz, Director, Madison County Victim/Witness Program

Macy Fleischer, Assistant Director, Culpeper Victim/Witness Program

Chris Genrich, Appellate and Training Attorney, US Army

Sharnelle Hamlin, Homicide Support Group Coordinator, Virginia Victim Assistance Network

Jessica Hood, Director of Outreach & PR, Wise/Norton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office

Detective Jon Long, Cold Case Squad, Fairfax County Police Department

Sergeant Jason Myers, Norfolk Police Department

Jennifer Perez, CEO, A & J Residential Services

Karen Ashburn Rucker, Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney, City of Hampton

Michael A. Shafer Jr., Guest Speaker, VADOC Victim Services Unit

Robyn Sodelett, Survivor Center Director, Prosecutors Alliance

Tamara Thomas, Director, Prince William County Victim/Witness Program

Ilana Wixted, Victim Services Specialist, Victim Services Division, Fairfax County Police

Master Detective David Wood, Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

Awardees have been nominated by their peers and are often from the law enforcement community, Commonwealth’s Attorneys, Victim Advocates from local Victim Witness offices or nonprofit organizations, forensic nurses, Victim Rights Attorneys, or the Judge Advocate General’s Corp (JAG).

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