08-04-2025
Violent crime victims remembered during El Paso District Attorney's Office ceremony
The names of 1,957 El Pasoans who have died in violent crimes over the past few decades were read during the annual El Paso District Attorney's Office's Crime Victims Reading of the Names ceremony.
The ceremony was held at 8 a.m. Sunday, April 6, at the Crime Victims Memorial at Yucca Park near Yarbrough Drive in El Paso's Lower Valley. The event is part of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, which is observed April 6 through April 12.
The 34th Judicial District is the top law enforcement official in El Paso, Hudspeth and Culberson counties.
"The message I want for you all to take away is that you are not alone," El Paso District Attorney James Montoya said during the ceremony. "You are not alone in your loss. This community is here for you. There are others who are here for you. We are here for you."
More than four dozen El Paso victims of violent crimes last year were added to this year's list. Each name was read with a bell being struck after each name. The ceremony lasted nearly three hours. The names included fallen El Paso County Sheriff's Office Deputy Peter Herrera, the victims of alleged 'Desert Killer' David Wood, and the El Paso Walmart mass shooting victims.
The annual event was attended by victims' family members and friends, El Paso community members, district attorney's office staff and local law enforcement officials.
'The assistant district attorneys who are participating in the Reading of the Names got to know the families of those who suffered a loss of a loved one,' Montoya said in a statement. 'They worked to prosecute those responsible for these violent crimes that robbed them of a loved one. It's meaningful to everyone who participates that these members of our community — who were taken from us far too soon — are remembered.'
Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@ or on X/Twitter @AMartinezEPT.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso DA James Montoya hosts memorial for victims of violent crimes
