VALDOSTA — Tiffany Henry’s nightmare began Oct. 19, 2016. 

That’s what she told an audience late Wednesday morning during an annual ceremony and luncheon hosted by the Southern District Attorney’s office for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week at the Valdosta City Hall annex.

Families of crime victims were invited to the ceremony to pay tribute to their loved ones.

As guest speaker, Henry gave a speech about losing her only child, Jalon Jackson, during an attempted armed robbery carried out by a friend. Jackson was in college at the time.

Henry said she tried for two days to contact her son but was unsuccessful. She finally decided to visit him at his apartment where she found his dead body.

“When I pulled into his yard, everything was there; the window was broken,” she said, “and my nightmare started then because, unfortunately for me, I smelled my son before I even knew he was dead.”

She said she was angry and hurt and would never receive the opportunity to share milestones in her son’s life such as watching him get married or have children.

“As gruesome as that was, I’m here today,” Henry said. “I’m healing today. My faith is stronger today, and I have decided to not dwell on why Jalon was taken but to dwell on how Jalon lived.”

Throughout her story, she encouraged families who have suffered similar experiences, even speaking directly to one of them.

Following her speech, Carla Williams, director of victim services, led a candle-lighting ceremony where family members lit candles for loved ones they’ve lost.

Candles were lit for Jerone Andrews, Jasmine Duke Davis, Emmit Dennis, Kristofer Foster, Jason Shelton and Stephen Styles.

District Attorney Brad Shealy said the importance of the luncheon is to remember people who have died due to crimes while also highlighting the rights of victims.

“They have the right to be in court, the right to present their side of the story when they didn’t before but it’s also to honor the victims that have died in the past,” he said.

The event offers unity and support for families as they remember their loved ones, he said.

The District Attorney’s office provides victim advocates, victim restitution and grief counselors as available resources.

The Valdosta Police Department Honor Guard opened the luncheon with a presentation of colors and Pledge of Allegiance.

Bill Slaughter, Lowndes County Commission chairman, read a proclamation for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 7-13.

Mayor John Gayle spoke, as well as VPD Cmdr. Bobbi McGraw on behalf of Police Chief Leslie Manahan.

At the conclusion, Shealy presented the Sgt. Lynn Futch Blocker Memorial Award to Master Trooper Douglas Glenn Morgan of Georgia State Patrol “in recognition of and appreciation for his dedication to duty, professional standards and genuine compassion for victims of crime.”

Amanda M. Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.