Morris County prosecutor’s lieutenant honored with Connie Strand Award for child advocacy

MORRISTOWN, N.J. (Morris County) — Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Lt. Anne-Marie Truppo has been recognized for her longtime work supporting child victims, receiving the Connie Strand Award for Excellence in Child Advocacy from Deirdre’s House earlier this month.

Truppo was honored Nov. 7 at the 29th Annual Gala, “Inspiring Hope, Helping Heal,” held at Spring Brook Country Club. The event supports Deirdre’s House, the county’s only center where child victims can be forensically interviewed and recorded by law enforcement, receive clinical counseling in English and Spanish, and undergo medical examinations and treatment in one place at no cost.

Since opening in 1994, Deirdre’s House has served more than 60,000 child visits, according to the organization.

Truppo, who joined the Prosecutor’s Office in 2005, was assigned to the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit in 2008. Over the next 15 years, she served as a field training detective, detective supervisor and sergeant before becoming a lieutenant. She has testified in numerous hearings, motions and trials related to child interviews and investigations and has trained hundreds of professionals across New Jersey in sex-crimes investigations and child forensic interviewing.

She currently serves in the Special Operations Division and has also worked in the Narcotics/Gambling, Domestic Violence, Missing Persons and General Investigations units.

Maria Savettiere, Esq., executive director of Deirdre’s House, praised Truppo’s dedication, saying, “Thank you Lt. Truppo for all you have done for child victims. It is not easy to look at things that most others would turn from, but because you fearlessly looked at the bad, we have had the opportunity to make it good. You have been the shield that protects, gives voice, and provides justice to our most vulnerable. Thank you for your courage, your dedication, and your compassion.”

Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll also commended her work. “I congratulate Lt. Truppo on this momentous recognition,” he said. “She has strived for years to secure justice for our most vulnerable victims, and provided comfort and solace at such a difficult time in their lives.”