POMEROY — Several county officials took part in the signing of a proclamation Friday, recognizing April 21-27 as National Crime Victims Rights Week.

Each year, 18.7 million Americans are directly harmed by crime each year, with crime affecting many more family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers.

The proclamation not only recognized Victims Rights Week, but reaffirmed Meigs County’s commitment to respect and enforce victims’ rights and address their needs during Crime Victims’ Rights Week and throughout the year.

“We express our appreciation for those victims and crime survivors who have turned personal tragedy into a motivating force to improve our response to victims of crime and build a more just community,” the proclamation stated.

On Tuesday, April 23, the Victims Rights Week Ceremony will be held at the Meigs County Courthouse.

The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the courthouse.

Meigs County was selected by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Crime Victim Section, to receive funds in support of the observance of National Crime Victims Rights Week being observed this week.

The mini grant is used to hold the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Ceremony. This year the national theme for the week is “New Challenges, New Solutions.”

Brenda Roush, the mother of homicide victim Christopher Roush, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the event.

Homicide victims to be remembered during the candle light memorial include Kenneth Rizer Sr., Doris Jackson, Robert Harrison, Joshua Starcher, Brett Pierce, Dyle Bay, Deborah Ellis, William Underwood, Todd Johnson, Winfield Hardiman, Tommy Parker, Howard Lawrence, Bobbie Butcher, Christopher Roush, Rebecca Ackerman, Keitha Whitlatch, James W. Gardner, Stephanie Ramey, Stephanie English, Jeffrey Halley, and Jeffrey Shannon Halley.

In addition, a certificate of appreciation for outstanding service on behalf of crime victims will be presented by Meigs County Prosecutor Colleen Williams to Lt. James Riley of the Pomeroy Police Department.