Memorial to honor victims, survivors for National Crime Victim’s Rights Week

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The annual Crime Victim Memorial Service will be held at the Remington Nature Center on Wednesday night to honor those lost through acts of violence.

The event, which starts at 5:30 p.m., allows families and friends to honor their loved ones and bond with others who have shared a similar experience as a part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

Members of the community were allowed to place a stone with a loved one's name in the rock garden.

St. Joseph resident Dana Miljavac was in attendance to honor her son Caden Embrey who lost his life in an incident involving a gun in February 2023.

"This is just a beautiful place that we can go," Miljavac said. "My favorite saying is that grief is definitely the price we pay for love and it's just peaceful out here today. It's really nice to be able to come to a place like this where you can remember your loved ones and we're grateful for it."

For attendees like Miljavac, these are moments where it helps to be surrounded by family and people who can support you.

"The one thing I pride in my family is the closeness that we have with each other," Miljavac said. "I don't know how I would make it through without my children and family being by my side through all of this because it never gets easier."

The Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney's Office hosts this event twice a year, during the spring and winter.

Community members will have the opportunity to attend the next crime victim memorial tree lighting at the Buchanan County courthouse in November 2025.