MORRISTOWN, N.J. (Morris County) — Morris County officials, law enforcement and community leaders gathered this week to observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, highlighting support services for victims and their families.
The annual ceremony, hosted by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit at the Administration and Records Building, featured a keynote address from Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter, Jaime, was killed in the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school shooting.
“There are a lot of factors that went into that day, but the reality that my daughter’s death was the result of a troubled teenage boy who was able to get his hands on an AR-15 ignited something in me that started all the years of activism to follow,” said Guttenberg. “All I want to do is lower the gun violence death rate in America. I want to lower the instances of gun violence. And when gun violence does happen, I want it to be less lethal.”
Guttenberg has since become a national advocate for gun violence prevention and public safety, working with policymakers across the country. He is also the author of two books addressing recovery and gun violence in America.
During the event, Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw presented a proclamation on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners declaring April 19–25, 2026, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Morris County.
“Here in Morris County, we have seen how personal loss can shape meaningful change,” said Director Shaw. “After the tragic murder of his daughter in 1982, Jim O’Brien chose to channel his grief into helping others. He advocated for victims to be treated with dignity, to be kept informed and to have a voice throughout the justice process. Partly because of efforts like his, New Jersey finally adopted a state Constitutional Amendment for Victim’s Rights in 1991. Today we reaffirm our commitment to defending the hard-fought rights of crime victims.”
The ceremony also included remarks from Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and was attended by Sheriff James M. Gannon, state lawmakers and local officials.
“This year’s theme of ‘Listen. Act. Advocate: Protect victims, serve communities’ reflects a victim-centered approach to justice that prioritizes dignity, safety and empowerment. Advocacy ensures victims are informed, supported and represented throughout the legal system. Protection emphasizes trauma-informed care. Serving communities means building trust and creating systems where victims feel respected and supported,” said Prosecutor Carroll.
“The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office places great importance in seeking justice for victims, and the Victim Witness Unit works to support victims by helping them understand their rights, guide them during the criminal justice process and help them connect to services,” he continued.
Officials also highlighted the ongoing work of the county’s Office of Victim Witness Advocacy, which provides support services, referrals and guidance to individuals affected by crime.
The observance included a commemorative wreath placed beside the victims’ tree outside the Administration and Records Building, which is illuminated annually as a symbol of remembrance and hope.
