The Office of the District Attorney, O.R. Barris III, is making preparations for the Eighth Annual Victim’s Tree for Okmulgee County. The project, coordinated by the Victim Witness Coordinator Debi Woodard, is designed to place a tree on Courthouse property which honors victims of violent crimes whose lives were lost in Okmulgee County.
Ornaments displaying the names of the victims decorate the tree and will be on display on the second floor of the Courthouse during the upcoming Christmas season. While the loss of loved ones is felt throughout the year, often times it is even more painful during the holiday season.
Assistance for the project has come from a variety of civic groups, government agencies and private citizens. A special thank you to Okmulgee Wal-Mart for donating the tree and bulbs.
“At this time of year, with Christmas approaching, it is our privilege to take this opportunity and put up the Victim’s Tree. The names on the tree represent sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers whose lives were taken by violence. It is our hope that in remembering them in this way we honor and show our respect for those who have been left behind,” said District Attorney O.R. Barris III.
Anyone who has lost a loved one to a violent crime in Okmulgee County, should contact Debi Woodard at 918-756-0794 or Kelsey Kossakowski at 918-752-2939.