Office for Victims of Crime - John W. Gillis Bio

Director's Biography

Photo of John W. Gillis, OVC Director John W. Gillis
OVC Director

John W. Gillis serves as Director of the Office for Victims of Crime in the U.S. Department of Justice. Director Gillis was appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in September, 2001. In this capacity, Director Gillis has oversight for priority initiatives including International Terrorism and Victim Assistance, Human Trafficking, and the Crime Victims' Fund.

Mr. Gillis has a long and distinguished career in law enforcement. He has previously served as the Chair of the California Board of Prison Terms and for over two decades with the Los Angeles Police Department.

In 1991, President George Bush presented Mr. Gillis with the National Crime Victim Service Award for his work in helping crime victims. In 1993, former Attorney General William Barr recognized Mr. Gillis' crime victim service with a Special Commendation Award. Mr. Gillis is also a member of the American Police Hall of Fame.

Following the 1979 murder of his daughter Louarna, Mr. Gillis helped found Justice for Homicide Victims and the Coalition of Victims Equal Rights, a statewide organization that works on behalf of the rights of victims and their families. He is also the founder of Victims and Friends United and an active member of Memory of Victims Everywhere and Parents of Murdered Children, a support group for families of homicide victims.

Director Gillis served four years as a member of the California State Bar Association's Crime Victims and Corrections Committee and four years on the American Legislative Exchange Council's Victim Committee. His efforts also helped secure passage of California's Crime Victims Initiative.

Mr. Gillis received an undergraduate degree from California State University at Los Angeles and a graduate degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California.

Speeches by the OVC Director

Director Honored by National Sheriffs' Association
At the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) 2008 annual conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, NSA President Sheriff Craig Webre honored OVC Director Gillis with a plaque recognizing his support of NSA and local sheriffs in their victim assistance efforts during his tenure as Director of OVC.

Director Copresents NSA Crime Victim Services Award for 2008
OVC Director Gillis copresented the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) Crime Victim Services award during a general session of the NSA's 2008 annual conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. The East Baton Rouge (Louisiana) Sheriff's Office received the award, which recognizes "outstanding achievement by a Sheriff’s Office in support of victims."

Director Talks with NPR
"Debating the Value of Victims' Rights Laws," in All Things Considered, NPR program, April 29, 2007.

On Sunday, April 29th, following the 2007 National Crime Victims' Rights Week, National Public Radio (NPR) aired a story on the value of victims' rights laws. While we celebrated the strides made on behalf of victims' rights during NCVRW, there is a move afoot to undermine this progress. OVC Director John W. Gillis participated in the interview with NPR and talked about a series of free legal clinics that help attorneys uphold the rights of victims in the courtroom. Please take a moment to listen and learn about the debate. To listen to the interview, visit NPR's All Things Considered Program Calendar Archive.

Interview with the Director
"A Voice for Victims," MADD's interview with OVC Director Gillis in Driven magazine, Fall 2003.

Director Copresents NSA Crime Victim Services Award for 2007
OVC Director Gillis copresented the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) Crime Victim Services award during a plenary session of the NSA's annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, in June 2007. The Pinal County (AZ) Sheriff's Office received the 2007 award, which recognizes "outstanding achievement by a Sheriff's Office in support of victims and victim assistance."

Director Copresents NSA Crime Victim Services Award for 2006
OVC Director Gillis copresented the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) Crime Victim Services award, which recognizes "outstanding achievement by a Sheriff's Office in support of victims," during the NSA's annual conference in June. Monroe County, Georgia, Sheriff's Office is the 2006 recipient.

Director Attends Committee on Crime Victim Services
"NSA Establishes Standing Committee on Crime Victim Services," National Sheriff Association's article on the first Crime Victim Services Committee. The Article first appeared in SHERIFF magazine, May-June 2004.

Open Letters to the Field
OVC Director, John W. Gillis, remembers President Reagan's Vision and Leadership, June 2004.

Open Letter From the OVC Director, John W. Gillis, on OVC Program Priorities for Fiscal Year 2005.

Open Letter From the OVC Director, John W. Gillis, on OVC Program Priorities for Fiscal Year 2006.

Special Messages

7th Anniversary of 9/11 a Time To Reflect and Remember—message from OVC Director John W. Gillis, September 8, 2008.

Day of Remembrance To Honor Memories of Murder Victims and Their Survivors—message from OVC Director John W. Gillis, September 8, 2008.

National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims: September 25, 2007—message from OVC Director John W. Gillis, October 19, 2007.

Nation Honors the Memories of Murder Victims and Their Survivors—message from OVC Director John W. Gillis, September 4, 2007.

New Year's Message for 2007—OVC Director John W. Gillis looks back on 2006 and shares examples of OVC's accomplishments and recent initiatives.

As 2006 draws to a close, OVC Director John W. Gillis shares a Holiday Message.

In Recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month—message from OVC Director John W. Gillis, October 2006.

For the 5th Anniversary of 9/11, OVC Director John W. Gillis Offers a Special Message, September 7, 2006.

In Memory of the Oklahoma City Bombing Victims, OVC Director John W. Gillis delivered a special message during the National Crime Victims' Rights week ceremony, April 7, 2005.

This document was last updated on September 09, 2008