GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — The Grand Junction Police Department's Victim Services Unit provides support to those affected by crime — and one of its volunteers recently won an award for her dedication to doing just that.
Laurel Walters has been a Victim Services volunteer since she heard about the program at a public service academy four years ago.
"It just sounded like something one could do to really give back to the community, come alongside people on pretty unfortunate circumstances and challenging days," Walters explained.
The Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance recently awarded Walters the Carol Hacker Award for Outstanding Victim Advocate in the Volunteer Sector. The annual award honors a volunteer who has shown exceptional dedication to victim advocacy — but Walters says she can't take all the credit.
"I was honored beyond words to have been nominated, and blown away to be selected, but the truth is, this award isn't really about me. It's a reflection of the team that I work with here at Grand Junction PD... We're privileged to work in an agency that supports and endorses this work... that empowers us to come alongside victims."
A call Walters said was significant for her involved two brothers, who were traveling through Grand Junction on a train when one passed away.
"As you might imagine, that was pretty traumatic for the other brother because he's away from home... there's obviously a lot of logistics to manage when something like that happens, especially when you're away from home... I feel confident with the collective team effort that we were able to soften the landing for him, just a little bit."
When asked what she feels is the most rewarding part of her volunteer work, Walters said, "The most rewarding thing for me is, again, being able to stand beside people who are having what is likely their very worst day... and we all deserve to have somebody, you know, come alongside us on days like that."
GJPD officials say work like Laurel's has been a major help in providing crime victims with emotional support and resources during times of need.
For more information on GJPD's Victim Services Unit and how you can volunteer, visit its website.