KC Reporter

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Missouri has honored Tina Sutter with the Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award. Jeffrey Ray, Acting United States Attorney, presented the award during National Crime Victims' Rights Week in April.

This annual award commemorates Ali Kemp and Crystal Kipper, both victims of tragic crimes. Tina Sutter, a retired Victim/Witness Specialist, received the award for her 21 years of support to crime victims at the U.S Attorney's Office. Sutter dedicated her career to ensuring fair treatment and respect for the privacy of victims and witnesses in federal crimes.

Jeffrey Ray highlighted this year's Crime Victims' Rights Week theme, “KINSHIP, Connecting and Healing,” during the ceremony. He remarked, "With her compassionate and caring approach, Tina connected with countless victims of crime as they navigated the criminal justice system, accessed services, and sought healing."

The ceremony featured the participation of Anna Kipper Rea, the mother of Crystal Kipper, and Jill and Bob Leiker from the Ali Kemp Educational Foundation.

The Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award has been given for 21 years in memory of Kipper and Kemp. Crystal Kipper, an 18-year-old from Gladstone, Missouri, was murdered in 1997. Ali Kemp, a 19-year-old from Leawood, Kansas, was murdered in 2002. The award acknowledges the efforts of individuals or organizations in preventing and responding to child exploitation.