Department of Justice Commemorates 2025 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Press Release

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime and the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa join federal, state, and local communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims' Rights Week and celebrating victims' rights, protections, and services. This year's observance takes place April 6 to 12, 2025, and features the theme, "KINSHIP," which encourages people to recognize the shared humanity of crime survivors and victims. The 2025 theme is a call to action for all of us-friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, victim service providers, criminal justice practitioners, and health professionals- to pursue these KINSHIP connections that foster the increased access to vital services, rights and healing.

As part of this observance, the Southern District of Iowa recognizes the courage and bravery of victims, and the outstanding work of law enforcement, victim advocates, and community service partners throughout Iowa. Eleven individuals are recognized for outstanding service to victims:

Awards for Excellence in Victim Services

• Scott Crouch, Polk County Sheriff's Office
• Roberta Cruz, Victim/Witness Liaison at the Polk County Attorney's Office
• Molly Jansen, Polk County Sheriff's Office

Law Enforcement Victim Service Awards

• Michael Banfield, Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Luke Eblen, Des Moines Police Department
• Kira Lazenby, Jasper County Sheriff's Office
• Blake Marshall, Ames Police Department
• Aaron McConnell, Wapello County Sheriff's Office
• Brook McPherson, Ames Police Department
• Caleb Mitchell, Ottumwa Police Department
• Jeremy Tosh, Ottumwa Police Department

"Everyday across Iowa law enforcement officers, agents and victim service providers offer a bridge between the criminal justice system and the shared humanity of victims and survivors. This KINSHIP is critical not only to the justice system, but more importantly to healing and hope for victims. During this week we are proud to honor all officers and service providers who, often 24 hours a day, are available as a resource and counsel to victims and survivors who bravely participate in the investigation and prosecution of violent offenders. These awards proudly recognize the exceptional efforts of a number of these individuals who provided assistance to federal and state victims in the Southern District of Iowa," said United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal for the Southern District of Iowa.

The 2025 Award for Excellence in Victim Services recognizes the performance of Investigators Scott Crouch and Molly Jansen. As members of the Polk County Attorney's Office, both Crouch and Jansen are assigned to the Drug Endangered Children (DEC) program. They aid children involved in criminal investigations and diligently act as a liaison with the children and Health and Human Services (HHS) to assure placements in a safe environment.

The 2025 Award for Excellence in Victim Services recognizes the performance of Roberta Cruz. Cruz is a Victim/Witness liaison with the Polk County Attorney's Office. Cruz has exhibited supreme dedication in providing a communication bridge between English and Spanish speaking individuals. Her helpful nature and humanity facilitate a valuable connection between victims, witnesses and the criminal justice system.

The 2025 Law Enforcement Victim Service Award recognizes the performance of Federal Bureau of Investigation, Special Agent Michael Banfield, Ames Police Department Sergeant Blake Marshall, and Ames Police Department Detective (former) Brook McPherson for their extraordinary investigation and prosecution of a serial sexual abuser. They showed tremendous compassion, support, and flexibility for the numerous victims and an unrivaled empathy for the shame and trauma the victims continue to endure. The dozens of victims that courageously participated in this investigation were a testament to the tireless effort and established relational kinship that is at the heart of this years' National Crime Victims' Rights awards.

The 2025 Law Enforcement Victim Service Award recognizes the performance of Wapello County Sheriff's Office Detective Aaron McConnell, and Ottumwa Police Department Investigators Caleb Mitchell and Jeremy Tosh in the investigation and prosecution of a violent sexual trafficker. Through caring, listening, and showing empathy, they were able to develop relationships of trust with each of the victims. Their work on this investigation demonstrated their tremendous capacity to nurture relationships with victims in the pursuit of justice and in hopes of leaving the victims better having gone through the criminal-justice system.

The 2025 Law Enforcement Victim Service Award recognizes the performance Des Moines Police Department Investigator Luke Eblen in the investigation and prosecution of a dangerous sex trafficker. Investigator Eblen exemplified fortitude, determination, and a commitment to obtaining justice for victims by overcoming the challenges that arose. His abilities to interact with traumatized victims with respect, honesty and sincere compassion were critical to obtaining a conviction in this case.

The 2025 Law Enforcement Victim Service Award recognizes the performance of Jasper County Sheriff's Department Sergeant Kira Lazenby and her unwavering commitment to ensuring victims receive immediate and comprehensive support. Sergeant Lazenby has investigated a wide range of victim-related cases, including domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and other violent crimes. She has displayed compassion, diligence, and professionalism in her work, ensuring that victims are heard, supported, and protected throughout the investigative and judicial process. In 2024, without direction, Sergeant Lazenby independently developed and implemented a county-wide victim information system to ensure that every law enforcement officer in Jasper County-across five separate agencies-had a standardized and easily accessible process for providing resources to victims.

President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Victims' Rights Week in 1981, putting crime victims' rights, needs, and concerns in a prominent spot on the American agenda. He also established the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, which laid the groundwork for a national network of services and legal safeguards for crime victims.

For more information on how to create your own public campaigns to raise awareness about crime victims' rights online and at events throughout the year, please visit: NCVRW 2025.

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Updated April 7, 2025