Teresa Fyffe

It is my honor to nominate Teresa Fyffe, for the Lifetime Achievement Award. Teresa began her career with the City of Phoenix Prosecutor’s Office in 1997 as a Legal Clerk and was promoted to Victim Advocate in 2005. Teresa has dedicated 28 years of her career in public service and advocating on behalf of crime victims, making a lasting impact through her persistent pursuit of justice. Teresa specializes in advocacy for victims of domestic violence. She has pioneered a case management approach and developed a Domestic Violence Tool kit, a resource that outlines the steps necessary for providing a comprehensive service to Domestic Violence victims. Teresa’s commitment to updating resources for the Victim Service Unit and handling high profile cases has strengthened her ability to support survivors. A noteworthy and powerful comment received by one victim was “Teresa’s support made me feel empowered and no longer like a victim.” Beyond Teresa’s direct victim advocacy, she assisted with implementing and transitioning to a new database system in 2021. She played a key role in testing the system and providing feedback. Another example of Teresa’s eye for detail and attention, recently she worked on a violent assault case where the victim suffered from some facial paralysis. Teresa uncovered that the defendant had just been released from the Department of Corrections when the incident took place while he was still on parole. Teresa assisted the victim with having a Prosecutor review this case. The case was submitted for felony review. Although the case still proceeded as a misdemeanor, Teresa provided victim with several resources and referrals including ongoing support. Victim stated, “What I am thankful for is just still alive I know that night I could have lost my life he could have killed me from a wrong hit. But am still here and God knows how much this mess with my mind and am still here working on myself for me. Thank you for all your support and for all these months of back-forth emails and paperwork and referrals”. Fellow advocates and victims have expressed their deep appreciation for her work on their cases. I have had the privilege of witnessing Teresa’s passion to serve victims in our community. Her career has been marked by unwavering dedication, innovative advocacy, and a profound impact on the lives of victims. Through her expertise, compassion, and persistent pursuit of justice, Teresa has set a high standard for advocacy. Teresa’s accomplishments make her truly deserving of this prestigious award.

Marie Higgins

It is with great pleasure that the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office nominates Marie Higgins for the Lifetime Achievement Award. Marie joined the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office in 2005 and has been an essential part of the success of the Victim Services Division. Over the many years Marie has consistently provided exceptional service to the victims of Yavapai County. During the past 19 years, Marie has been a Volunteer, Volunteer Coordinator, Felony Court Advocate, Misdemeanor Notification Advocate, Juvenile Notification Advocate, and a Felony Notification Advocate. Marie is passionate about her role as a victim advocate and makes every effort to ensure the rights of victims are preserved and protected. Marie demonstrates exceptional thoroughness in her work, consistently aiming for efficiency and precision. She not only delivers top-quality work but also frequently undertakes additional responsibilities. Her dedication to excellence stems from her awareness that victims depend on her for accurate information. Marie has continually contributed to editing the victims’ rights brochures and community referral lists throughout her years of service. Marie assists with writing and updating procedures, updates the Post-Conviction Notification Request (PCNR) process, assists with the development and revision of notification letters, and a wide variety of other duties. In addition, Marie reviews all victim notification letters to ensure they comply with current statute. In 2016, Marie assisted in the review and testing of every notification letter to create templets incorporating merge fields for a new case management system, Prosecutor by Karpel. Marie was instrumental in the success of this project. Last year Marie worked on the implementation of a new PCNR process to include the new Guilty Except Insane process. Marie makes suggestions to improve processes when there is a new, or better way to do a job. Marie is also committed to teamwork. When needed she helps to train newer advocates, participates with National Victims' Rights Week, Take Back the Night and provides additional coverage for other advocates. In describing Marie and her work ethic, co-workers have stated the following: “Marie is a dedicated YCAO employee who strives to provide the best possible service. She takes her job seriously and performs it at the highest level of excellence. She goes above and beyond to be sure that the product she produces is accurate and timely.” “Marie has dedicated her career to providing excellent service to crime victims as well as her co-workers.” Words that have been used to describe Marie are “compassionate, hard worker, and team player.” The Yavapai County Attorney’s Office is truly appreciative for Marie’s 19 years of impeccable service to both this office and the victims of Yavapai County. For these reasons Marie is the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office nominee for 2025 APAAC Lifetime Achievement Award.

Silvia Meyer

Silvia Meyer has dedicated 24 years of her life to championing the rights and well-being of victims of crime, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those who have experienced trauma. Over the years, she has worked tirelessly to provide support, comfort, and resources to countless individuals who have suffered from the effects of crime. Silvia has played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing victim support services within our community, such as: Order of Protections in City of Phoenix Municipal Court; Lay Legal Advocacy; Shelter without Walls, a domestic violence program open to the community; Fatality Review Team; Victim Rights’ Committee for pamphlets; and Elder Advocacy for the City of Phoenix. The impact of Silvia’s work extends far beyond the immediate individuals she has assisted. Through her tireless efforts, our community has become more informed, compassionate, and supportive of victims of crime.

Michelle Cabanillas

Michelle Cabanillas began her career with the City of Phoenix in 1992, as a Head Start Case Worker.  For the past 27 years, she has served with distinction as a victim advocate.  Michelle has exemplified the highest standard of dedication impacting the lives of thousands of victims and their families and hundreds of prosecutors and co-workers.    She excels in all aspects of her job, be it providing information, support, and resources; assisting with protective orders, victim-impact statements and restitution; or compassionately guiding victims through a case.  She is the quintessential link between the victim and the prosecutor, providing each with the information they need without violating confidentiality.     Michelle has always administered her duties in a manner that serves justice and demonstrated the type of ethical and professional standards society should expect from its public employees.  The prosecutor profession and victims are fortunate to have an advocate like Michelle.

Tony Camacho

Tony Camacho joined the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office in 2007 after retiring from the U.S. Marine Corp. Tony has held a variety of positions within Victim Services, including Notifications Advocate, Restitution Advocate, and Felony Trial Advocate. Tony took the initiative to learn every other position within the Victim Services Division so that he could ensure he could fill in for those positions if the need arose. In 2014, Tony was promoted to Victim Services Supervisor. In addition to his supervisory responsibilities, Tony was expected to maintain a felony trial caseload. He stepped up and immediately became the go-to resource. Tony consistently provides exceptional service to victims and prosecutors. His passion for victims’ rights has been a shining light in our Office for many years. He is dedicated to his team and victims. Tony is resilient, patient, compassionate, and loyal; but what else would you expect from a retired Marine drill sergeant?

Kirstin Flores has had a distinguished 22-year career at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office (AGO), Office of Victims Services (OVS). Kirstin has been a proven leader to the AGO and to victims’ rights in Arizona. After developing her administrative leadership skills in the public health sector, she started her victims’ rights career at the AGO as the State Victims’ Rights Administrator in 2000. In 2012, she was promoted to the OVS Director position where she oversees the victim advocacy component of the office which works with victims in investigation, prosecution and appeals cases, as well as the statewide Agency Support Team. Those who work with Kirstin know she has an unrivaled passion for her profession and her coworkers. The Attorney General’s Office recognizes the incalculable contribution Kirstin has made to the victims and the victims’ rights in Arizona.       

John Goodman

John Goodman has dedicated over 25 years to serving Arizona’s crime victims. John began his career with Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) in 1995 where he spent most of his tenure working with domestic violence victims. He was a member of the MCAO threat assessment team specializing in stalking, aggravated harassment, and IJP cases. John helped create DV protocols used in agency trainings, and routinely worked with Phoenix PD’s threat management team. In 2007, John became the City of Peoria’s Victim Assistance Coordinator. The office has been privileged to work with an advocate with his insight and expertise. John’s passion and desire to serve victims permeates his work. His congenial personality and nuanced understanding of the criminal justice system and victim advocacy set him apart. Even in the most difficult cases, John seamlessly handles victims’ expectations, and he effectively supplements the prosecutor’s role

Rita Trainor joined the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office in 1998 as a Victim Assistance Case Worker. From that time to the present, Rita has consciously and consistently provided exceptional service to the victims in Yavapai County. During her tenure with the office, Rita has worked in Victim Notifications, Victim Compensation, and Restitution. She has dedicated her career to ensuring the victims she serves receive everything they need during a difficult time in their lives. She demonstrates excellence every day in her work in Victim Services. She has made a profound difference in the lives of those she serves, oftentimes in the background with little recognition.

Judy Fagelman

Judy Meeker

Judy Meeker joined the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office as a Victim Advocate in August of 1991. Over the past twenty-seven years, she has worked as an Advocate in Misdemeanor, Early Disposition, Felony and Juvenile Courts. She has been assigned to Juvenile Court for the last twelve years where she has truly found her niche. Judy has dedicated her career to victims of crimes with passion, empathy and unfailing professionalism. She happily assists those who may feel confused, hurt or damaged, and does so in a way that is calming and caring. She is the voice for those who often do not have the strength to speak, and advocates for those who, at times, have lost hope. Through her advocacy and compassion, Judy brings light back into their eyes. She demonstrates excellence in victim advocacy every single day and is truly deserving of the 2019 Victim Advocate Lifetime Achievement Award.

Gina has worked for Pinal County for 29 years, the last six of which have been in the Victims’ Services Bureau. Although, Gina will be retiring later in the year, you wouldn’t know it by the dedication and compassion she shows to victims in Pinal County. She advocates for victims with the utmost integrity and does so while keeping their feelings in mind.

Dina Aguilera

Dina Aguilera has dedicated twenty-four years of her life to Victim Advocacy. When people find themselves in the midst of chaos, Dina is their strength. From explaining the Victims’ Rights afforded to them by the Arizona Constitution and Statutes, to assisting them through the process of obtaining an Order of Protection, Injunction Against Harassment, safety planning, and identifying resources to empower and educate victims and their offenders—Dina is always there to help. In the event our office declines prosecution in a victim’s case, Dina eloquently balances the emotional state and desires of the victim with the burden of proof and decisions made by our office’s attorneys. Rather than focusing on a conviction, she leads victims through the day-to-day process of healing from the emotional or physical injuries caused by the crimes which were committed against them. She sees the big picture: do the right thing for the right reason.