In observance of the “National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims”, the Spokane County Victim/Witness Unit will hold a vigil on Sept. 25 in the County Commissioner’s Hearing Room on the Lower Level of the Public Works Building, 1026 W. Broadway Ave., from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
As of 1951, the Victim/Witness Unit has documented 643 murders, vehicular homicides and unsolved violent crimes throughout Spokane County. While a few of these cases occurred in other areas, the victims’ families are located here and all too often, they are still struggling to cope with the murder of a loved one, according a press release.
To remember those who lost their lives to a violent crime, the Victim/Witness Unit will also be collecting shoes for a special memorial display. Each pair of shoes will represent a murder victim and, according to the press release, “in a small way, you can 'put yourself in their shoes' by honoring them.”
The Spokane County Victim/Witness Unit is hoping to collect more than 500 pairs of shoes, including boots, wing-tips and flip-flops. Every pair of shoes received will be included in the murder victim memorial that will be located next to the Law Enforcement Memorial on the County Courthouse campus on Sept. 27. They ask that the shoes be in good condition because Volunteers of America will pick them up to deliver them to various shelters and charities.
If you have a pair of shoes that you would like to donate, please bring them to the following locations (make sure they are tied together or put a rubber band around them):
- Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office (lobby) – Public Safety Building, 1100 W. Mallon Ave
- Lutheran Community Services – 210 W. Sprague Ave
- YWCA – 930 N. Monroe St
