Earlier this month State’s Attorney Wes Adams received the Virginia Mahoney Memorial Award from the Maryland State Board of Victim Services at their annual luncheon. For the past 30 years the State Board of Victim Services in the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention honors those who have contributed to the crime victims’ rights movement.
The Virginia Mahoney award is given to an outstanding leader who sets the standard for excellence and professionalism in the field of victim services. This award recognizes one prominent state leader or high-ranking official who has epitomized true leadership in support of victim rights. Mr. Adams was selected based on his exemplary work as the chief of homicide in the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office.
As the chief of homicide, Mr. Adams was credited with increasing the homicide conviction rate to an historic high of 93%. As a direct result, the number of homicides in Prince George’s County fell nearly 58% and now stands at its lowest level in over 30 years. During his tenure as chief he tried more than 50 murder cases and supervised the prosecution of hundreds of homicide cases.
“I am truly honored that the victims I have worked with during the most difficult time in their lives felt that I deserved this recognition. It is my relationships with victims that serves as the driving force in my pursuit of justice,” said Wes Adams.
Virginia (Ginny) Mahoney devoted her 20 year career to victims of violent crime. Ms. Mahoney was the founder of the Maryland’s Victim’s Assistance Network, a statewide organization for crime victims. She is credited with writing the national training manual for the Department of Justice’s Victims’ coordinators and the manual for the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office.
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