Crime Victims’ Coalition honors Rowan DA Brandy Cook, others
Published 12:05 am Thursday, April 30, 2015
The Crime Victims’ Coalition of Mecklenburg and surrounding counties held its 8th annual luncheon a week ago and honored several individuals, including Rowan County District Attorney Brandy Cook.
The luncheon was held April 22 at Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church in Charlotte where this year’s theme was domestic violence. The guest speaker for this year’s luncheon was Ron Kimble, whose daughter, Jamie, died as a victim of domestic violence. He and his wife, Jan, created the Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage.
Television news anchor Erica Bryant of WSOC-TV was this year’s moderator. She is also a proponent of domestic violence as well as a survivor.
Cook received the Outstanding Criminal Justice Award. She’s been district attorney since 2010 following the retirement of longtime District Attorney Bill Kennerly. She was assistant district attorney in Cabarrus County for nine years.
Cook is an advocate for domestic violence and even spoke at an annual domestic violence awareness event a couple of years ago. She has also prosecuted and received convictions in a number of cases that were the result of domestic violence.
Other award winners were:
• Allied Professional Award — Gaylene Macuska, who attends all functions and events to promote information regarding abuse despite the aid of a walker.
• Extraordinary Survivor Award — Ron and Jan Kimble, who have established a foundation in the name of their daughter who died, the result of an abusive ex-boyfriend.
• Special Courage Award — Gene Hayes, a male domestic violence survivor.
• Peter S. Gilchrist Award — Anne Tompkins, the award is given to the person who has dedicated over 20 years of services to victims of crimes.
• Outstanding Criminal Justice Award — Detective Avery Turner, Criminal Investigation’s Division with the Concord Police. There were three Cabarrus County nominees who also included Detective Larissa Beaver and Capt. Doug Wilhelm.
• Special Appreciation Award — Erica Bryant, for being so supportive of the Crime Victims’ Coalition and being the mistress of ceremony for four years.
