National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Every April, the State’s Attorney’s Office joins with the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy and the Maryland State Board of Victim Services in the annual observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week—a time to honor crime victims and to reflect on our nation’s progress in advancing their rights. In recent years, the annual observance featured a memorial service, an open house and reception at the State’s Attorney’s Office, along with the dedication of a garden remembering the victims of crime in Howard County.
The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, in partnership with the Victim and Witness Divisions of the State’s Attorneys’ Offices, and the Maryland Board of Victim Services, sponsors four regional memorial services each year during the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The memorial services feature inspirational speakers, musical performances, and quiet reflection which honor over 4,000 crime victims of homicide, vehicular manslaughter, and missing crime victims and their families. These memorial services provide a safe, supportive, and trustworthy space for families of crime victims to congregate and share their stories. Many advocates, who strive to serve victims of crime, help to coordinate the memorial services because they understand the importance of a positive outlet for families to cope with their grief and honor their lost and loved ones.
2026 Memorial Service Locations and Information
The 2026 Memorial Services will take place on Sunday, April 19, 2026
- Northern Region (Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore, Cecil, Harford, Howard)
- 1:00 p.m. at Arundel High School (Anne Arundel County) – 1001 Annapolis Rd, Gambrills, MD 21054
- Southern Region (Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s)
- 1:00 p.m. at Bowie Center for the Performing Arts (Prince George’s County) – 15200 Annapolis Rd, Bowie, MD 20715
- Western Region (Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, Washington)
- 1:00 p.m. at Centreville Methodist Church (Queen Anne’s County) – 608 Church Hill Rd, Centreville, MD 21617
- Eastern Region (Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester)
- 2:00 p.m. at Hagerstown Seventh-Day Adventist Church (Washington County) – 11507 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740
You are cordially invited to the 36th Statewide Memorial Services for Crime Victims and Their Families on Sunday, April 19, 2026. The 2026 memorial services will be hosted by the Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, and Washington County State’s Attorneys’ Offices.
RSVP for the memorial services here