LOCAL RESIDENT ACCOMPLISHES JUVENILE ADVOCATE DREAM
Fort Morgan resident Raquel Marquez has always wanted to be a juvenile advocate. Her passion is to protect the rights and interests of children involved in the legal system — those who are victims of abuse, neglect, or crime. Her first step toward her dream was to go to college for criminal justice.
In 2013, during her first year of college, Marquez was diagnosed with brain cancer. Even after learning about her diagnosis, she stayed in school and finished her degree.
Now at home in the care of her family and Hospice of the Plains, Marquez had her dream fulfilled at her home on Wednesday by Hospice of the Plains representative Leon Midkiff, Morgan County Sheriff Dave Martin, and 13th Judicial District’s Victim Advocate, Jill Olsen.
Martin presented Marquez with a declaration: “I am here today because I was told that it was your goal to become an advocate. I’m here to swear you in as an Honorary Advocate.”
After being sworn in as an Honorary Victim’s Advocate for Morgan County, he presented Marquez with a signed copy of the declaration, a challenge coin, a Sheriff’s Office ID card, and a badge pin signifying her being sworn in.
Marquez was also presented with a certificate from the 13th Judicial District.
“On behalf of the 13th Judicial District, the District Attorney has also named you Honorary Juvenile Advocate with the District Attorney’s Office,” said Olsen. “You are now part of the 13th Judicial District Victims Unit.”
Olsen presented Marquez with a Victim’s Advocate sweatshirt, a Victim’s Advocate letter, flowers, and other gifts.
“Oh my gosh, I love it,” said Marquez, “Thank you so much. This is so cool, I’m in shock. I knew that I had always wanted to do something with law enforcement. I have always wanted to help the little guys.”
Marquez’s mother, Maria, shared that she had wanted to be a Juvenile Victim’s Advocate since middle school.