by David Chapman
Staff Writer
The 7th Annual Justice Coalition “Together We Can Campaign” held Thursday was originally planned to honor the ongoing work of the organization’s founder, Ted Hires, before his peers and the community.
The accolades and praise for Hires were still flowing, but the atmosphere was different without the late founder of the organization that has assisted many families of victims of violent crime since 1995.
More than 200 people — including numerous Northeast Florida sheriffs, judges, City Council members and City officials — attended the breakfast event at the Fraternal Order of Police, to hear from victims of violent crime and the need for and work of the Justice Coalition.
“It (Justice Coalition) does the work no one else does,” said Mayor John Peyton, one of the event’s speakers. “They look after the victims.”
Peyton then talked about Hires, his work and what the event meant.
“I think he’d be very proud of us this morning,” said Peyton, referring to Hires.
Sheriff John Rutherford called the Justice Coalition a conduit of the community, as its efforts have helped take criminals off the street and assisted the efforts of law enforcement officers.
Following the stories of some of the people and families the organization has helped, Ann Dugger, Justice Coalition executive director, received a standing ovation for her work and efforts.
The annual fundraiser and awareness event was the first without Hires, but Dugger said his work and the work of the Justice Coalition will continue.
“Ted had a mission, but now he has a legacy,” said Dugger.
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