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Office for Victims of Crime

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Tribute to Mandie Patterson

Photo of Mandie PattersonThe field of crime victim assistance lost a dedicated advocate in Mandie Patterson. In addition to a career dedicated to serving victims of crime, her many professional accomplishments included her long-time membership in the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators, for which she served as president in 2009. She will also be remembered as the first recipient of the Grimm Award from the Sexual Assault Resource Agency.

Magdalena "Mandie" M. Patterson of Henrico County, Virginia, passed away on Friday, March 16, 2012. Born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on September 19, 1951, Mandie moved to Arlington, Virginia, as a teenager, and began her career of state service in 1974 as a counselor for the Virginia Department of Corrections. After serving as one of the original ombudsmen for the Department of Corrections, she moved to the Department of Criminal Justice Services, where she was instrumental in creating, and for many years managing, the state’s victim-witness program.

A committed and effective advocate for victims of crime, Mandie built an enviable reputation across Virginia and nationwide. Throughout her career she worked with the Commonwealth’s attorneys, sheriffs, police departments, and local victim-witness coordinators to institute training programs for local officials to ensure they were better able to serve the needs of crime victims.

Following her retirement in 2010, Mandie served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, assisting other states in establishing training academies for local law enforcement and criminal justice personnel. As an adjunct faculty member at the University of Richmond, Mandie taught an undergraduate course in Victimology.

Mandie Patterson, a respected mentor and friend to so many in the field, will be greatly missed; and her grace, compassion, and contributions to the field of victim services will be long remembered.

—Based on the Richmond-Times Dispatch obituary and condolence messages from the field.