Letter from Orange County Sheriff Jerry L. Demings

The Bereaved Survivors of Homicide of Central Florida is not only a compassionate organization but in many ways, a life-line for the survivors. The death of a loved one is understandably devastating however, when that loved one is a victim of homicide, the loss becomes senseless and incomprehensible. Even more disheartening is the discovery that there is no magic formula to navigate the grieving process. It is my hope that the booklet (A Guide for Victims and Witnesses) will empower you to become engaged with the criminal justice system. I hope it will inspire you to seek justice by cooperating with law enforcement and the judicial system despite the grueling and emotional process. This guide was created to address the many unanswered questions you might have. It explains the procedures you need to know in order to ensure that the criminals are not only prosecuted, but convicted for their heinous crimes. While a conviction can never bring back your loved one, hopefully, it can restore a sense of power and peace knowing that you played a crucial role in obtaining justice.

Sheriff Jerry L. Demings
Orange County, Florida

* A Guide for Victims and Witnesses is available by calling 407-254-7248.