National Hispanic American Heritage Month
 This is National Hispanic American Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15) when we celebrate and honor the history, culture and influence of past generations who came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
The Memphis Public Library has a wide selection of books and videos, and variety of services in Spanish for adults and children. Here Also, links to exhibits, collections, images, online events for children, and more can be found at the NHAHM website. Here
Our Victim Witness Unit provides Spanish-language assistance to Hispanic crime victims and witnesses, including informational videos on the criminal justice process, what to expect when attending hearings, and a guided tour of the Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar hosted and narrated by Hispanic Victim Witness Coordinators Andres Mata and Cynthia Miller. Visit our site. Here
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September 11 marked the 20th anniversary of one of the most horrific days in American history, but it also was a date to reflect on how the country came together as one.
While Veterans Day is still another month away, I’d like to take a moment to recognize the members of this office who have served in the military.
Some continue to serve in Reserve Units, such as Victim Witness Coordinator Tiana Young (right) who is currently on active duty.
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Not everyone was available for the group photo (above), but allow me to introduce them all.
Dan Byer, Asst. Dist. Atty. Grand Jury: Cavalry Scout, U.S. Army, 1982-86. Expert Marksman, Acting Sgt. 2nd Armored Division, Ft. Hood, Texas; Air Assault, ranked 1st in class; deployed Hersfeld, Germany, duties included patrolling fences separating East and West Germany; patrol observation along East German Border.
Johnie Carter, director of the West Tennessee Drug Task Force: 2nd Class Petty Officer, U.S. Navy, 1987-94. Desert Shield/Desert Snow. Anti-terrorism support – 1988 Summer Olympics, Seoul, South Korea. Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 12 aboard the USS Midway, Yokosuka, Japan. Helicopter Support Squadron 11 aboard the USS Mars, San Francisco.
Steve Crossnoe, Asst. Dist. Atty. Juvenile Court Unit: Major, U.S. Air Force, 1983-94. Assignments included: Sacramento, Calif. (operations of largest vehicle fleet in Air Training Command); Florennes, Belgium (operated specialized vehicle fleet in support of Ground Launched Cruise Missiles, served as Airfield Manager for U.S. and Belgian forces); Ramstein, Germany (supervised air terminal operations at largest cargo port in Europe); Incirlik, Turkey (supervised air terminal operations at largest cargo port in the Mediterranean, main operating base for Operation Provide Comfort for displaced persons in aftermath of Gulf War); Rhein-Mein, Germany, and Zaragoza, Spain (support airlift operations during the First Gulf War).
James E. Johnston Jr., Criminal Investigator: 2nd Class Petty Officer (E-5), Electrician Specialist, U.S. Navy, 1967-70. Served 18 months in Cuba on the USS CVS Lexington prior to Lexington designation change to CVT. (from anti-submarine warfare to training aircraft carrier.) Released from active duty early following injury aboard ship. (Note: Was in Cuba during the birth of my first born.)
Kevin McAlpin, Asst. Dist. Atty. Special Prosecution Unit 7: Lt. Col., Tennessee Army National Guard, Judge Advocate. 2002-present.
Seraiah McCoy, Digital Evidence Analyst: Officer Candidate School 236 graduate, pre-commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. 2021-
Michael McCusker, Community Prosecutor Tillman Precinct: Major, U.S. Army Reserves, 1985-07. Head of security Army Training & Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Ft. Monroe, VA, 2002-03; Combat Advisor, Afghan National Army, Deh Dadi, Afghanistan, 2005-06; awarded Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, 2005-06, and Army Commendation Medal for actions in theater, Nov. 10-11, 2005.
Vanessa Murtaugh, Asst. Dist. Atty. DUI Unit: Petty Officer 3rd Class; Fire Controlman Tomahawk Cruise Missile launches; Naval Base San Diego, Fleet Combat Training Center Pacific, Tactical Training Group Pacific, and U.S.S. Lassen, DDG-82, 1999-05.
Freddie Romero, Criminal Investigator Vertical Team 3: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, duty station El Toro, CA, 1983-87. Deployments: Okinawa, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines (aviation support and logistics). Quarterback for USMC El Toro football team, member USMC baseball, which played small colleges in Southern California.
Scott Sharpe, Chief Administrative Officer: Sergeant E4, U.S. Air Force, 1981-86.
Karl Shelter, Supervisor Computer Analyst: Personnel Journeyman, U.S. Air Force, 1988-98. Five years in England at Royal Air Force station in Upper Heyford Oxfordshire. One year as fireman. Served during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. During war exercises served as a Security Police Augmented.
Ryan Thompson, Felony Asst. Vertical Team 5: Captain, Tennessee Army National Guard, 2006-present. Combat Medic four years. Officer Candidate School, Military Intelligence Officer four years, JAG now for seven years. Served twice in Korea and served in Middle East as Trial Counsel for the Theater Engineer Brigade. Currently serve as Senior Defense Counsel for Tennessee Army National Guard Trial Defense Services.
Eric Walton, Asst. Dist. Atty. Vertical Team 1: Captain, U.S. Army Reserves, 1993-06; Judge Advocate General Corps; deployed Jan. 2003-July 2004 for Operation Noble Eagle, attached to 101st Air Assault Division of Ft. Campbell, KY. Service as Trial Counsel (Military Prosecutor and Legal Advisor) for units of the 101st. Platoon Leader in Army Reserves for A Company, 467th Engineer Battalion, with several deployments to Central America.
Tiana Young, Victim/Witness Coordinator Domestic Violence Unit: 1st Lt. U.S. Army Reserves, 2014-present. Medical Service Officer. Selected as Unit Commander of Medical Company currently assigned to. Now on active duty.
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The Season of Remembrance is our way to publicly acknowledge the importance of every life lost to violence in Memphis and Shelby County.
During the ceremony, families bring an ornament in honor of their loved ones and place the ornaments on wreaths to be displayed during the holiday season.
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In 2019, more than 350 people attended the event. Last year, because of COVID-19 restrictions, we were unable to have a live group event, but instead had a special tree outside of 201 Poplar where anyone who lost someone to homicide could hang ornaments in memory of their loved ones.
We also posted a video series on our website with inspirational speakers and choral groups. We also had the Mighty Lights on the Hernando DeSoto Bridge glowing red, white and black in remembrance of homicide victims.
We are planning to host an in-person event again this year. More details will be announced soon.
In the News
Man Indicted in Home-Studio Murder Case
Sex Offender Convicted in Cold-Case Rape
Trailer Park Shooting Ruled Justified
Son Indicted in Father's Fatal Fall in Collierville
Fired Employee Convicted of Shooting Boss
A forum discussing ways to assist victims of domestic violence will be held on Tuesday Oct. 12 at the University of Memphis, University Center, 3rd floor.
The forum, Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence, will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a continental breakfast at 8 a.m. Registration is free, as is parking in the Zach Curlin Garage. Masks are required and social-distance seating will be observed.
The registration deadline is Oct. 7. To register, visit here.
 Memphis Police Department Sgt. Verdell Smith died in the line of duty in the summer of 2016 while trying to protect others. Sgt. Smith was a victim of vehicular homicide, killed by a violent felon who had just shot three innocent people.
One of those victims, 39-year-old Joshua Walton, died a year later.
The suspect was in a stolen car, speeding the wrong way on a one-way Downtown street when he struck and killed Sgt. Smith, who was clearing crowds of people from B.B. King Blvd. near Beale Street. He saved countless lives before losing his own.
For his heroic actions, the U.S. Department of Justice posthumously awarded Sgt. Smith the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor in a ceremony at the White House in 2019. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served 18 years with the Memphis Police Department.
"Sgt. Verdell Smith was proud to be a law enforcement officer,” Deputy Chief Mike Shearin said after the ceremony. “He was an amazing person who was a friend and a dedicated servant to the citizens of Memphis. We will forever be indebted to Verdell and his family for his sacrifice.”
The driver was convicted in August on numerous felony counts, including murder and vehicular homicide, and was sentenced by the jury to life in prison without parole for the murder conviction. On Sept. 23 he received an additional 62 years for the other convictions.
An annual event held in Sgt. Smith's honor - the Turkey Trot With the Cops 5K Run/Walk - will be held this year on Saturday Nov. 20 starting at the Austin Peay Police Station at 3430 Austin Peay Highway. Registration is from 7:30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.
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