Author: Sonja Bennett-Bellamy, Communications Officer
Governor Roy Cooper proclaimed the week of April 8 – 14, 2108 as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in North Carolina, mirroring the national observance that honors victims of crime and recognizing the state’s commitment to care for the needs of crime victims and their families. The theme for this year’s observance is “Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims,” signaling a pledge of collaboration and inclusiveness in supporting crime victims.
Two major events shined a spotlight on the importance of victims’ rights during the observance week. On April 10, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety joined the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert Higdon Jr., the Victims’ Services Interagency Council of N.C., law enforcement, victims’ rights advocates and surviving family members for a special ceremony at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh. The event was keynoted by Ms. Polly Sheppard and Ms. Felicia Sanders, both survivors of the 2015 Emanuel AME church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, that left nine people dead, including the church’s pastor.
“I went to the bowels of hell and stared straight into the eyes of Satan himself,” recalled Sheppard, who encountered the alleged killer face-to-face in the moments following the murders. “Many people say the shooter spared my life, but I will never give him credit for sparing my life, God saved my life.”
Sanders painfully recounted the carnage inside of the fellowship hall on the night of June 17, where members were attending Bible study. She, along with her young granddaughter, survived by “playing dead.” Her 26-year old son Tywanza was killed by the gunman when he tried to reason with the 21-year old assailant and convince him not to shoot. Sanders wept as she told the audience her story. Sheppard rushed to her side at the podium to embrace her and give support.
“I still cry,” said Sanders. “I have numb feelings, I get angry, and I panic when I hear balloons pop or fireworks go off.” She professed her faith in God; her reason for living and forgiving through such a horrible tragedy. “I have been through a lot, but I know for a fact God is real. I forgave the killer but I forgave him for me. Forgiving him has helped me move forward with my life.”
Inspirational songs were sung by the 100 Men in Black Choir from Durham. NC DPS Secretary Erik A. Hooks was among those attending who participated in a rose ceremony in memory of victims of crime.
On April 11, the N.C. Victim Assistance Network (NC VAN), a nonprofit organization that advocates for victims of homicide, led a service held at the Crime Victims’ Memorial Garden in downtown Raleigh. The flower garden was planted as a tribute to homicide victims in North Carolina.
“Surviving family members of homicide victims are critically underserved in North Carolina,” said Frances Battle, NC VAN executive director. “Our goal is to narrow the service gap and we will do it through the collaboration of various law enforcement agencies, victim assistance programs and victims’ rights advocates.”
The event was marked by the official reading of Gov. Cooper’s proclamation followed by music, the symbolic release of white doves, and words from Rolonda Hedgepath, sister of Faith Hedgepath, a UNC biology major who was murdered in 2012.
“Faith excelled in everything she did,” said Hedgepath. “Faith attended Carolina. She had big dreams of becoming a pediatrician or a teacher. She made lots of friends. On Sept. 27, 2012, I received a phone call that changed by life forever.”
Rolanda Hedgepath, a Hollister native, reminded the crowd that when someone is brutally murdered like her baby sister was, the trauma of the loss negatively impacts surviving family members forever. She thanked the community of victims’ supporters for patiently listening to her story and thanked them for supporting her and her family. Faith Hedgepath’s murder remains unsolved.