Victim Assistance

Victim Assistance Unit

Welcome to the website for the Victim Assistance Unit of the Williamson County Sheriff's Office

If you, a loved one or a member of your family has been affected by crisis, trauma or concerns, following criminal victimization, please contact the Victim Assistance Unit of the Williamson County Sheriff's Office.

As members of the Williamson County Sheriff's Office, we are dedicated to serving the citizens of Williamson County. We understand that crime and victimization affects individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities in a variety of ways.

We can offer a number of services, resources and information designed to assist you. Please feel free to review the information and resources on this website and call or email us if we may be of assistance.

Shelly de la Vega, Director
512-943-1373
email: sdelavega@wilco.org

Julie Hobbs, Volunteer Coordinator
512-943-1374
email: juliehobbs@wilco.org

Dean Higginbotham, Case Worker
512-943-1375
email: chigginbotham@wilco.org

Victim Assistance Recruitment Class

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Victim Assistance Unit is looking for volunteers. Volunteers will be trained to respond to emergency situations in Williamson County. Volunteers provide immediate on scene response to victims of crime or traumatic circumstances. This position will offer you the opportunity to work directly with crime victims, law enforcement and other first responders.

Duties:
Support duties of the volunteers include: Homicides, Suicides/Attempted Suicides, Natural Death, Death Notifications, Fires, Child/Elder Abuse, Family Violence, Sexual Assaults, Traffic Accidents, General Welfare Concerns, Violent Crimes and Natural Disasters. Victim Assistance responds to calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Volunteers provide support to victims and their families, assist law enforcement and provide pertinent resources and information about the criminal justice system. The minimum time commitment is three-12 hour shifts per month and attendance in one regularly scheduled monthly unit meeting.

Requirements:
Anyone interested in becoming a part of our unit must be at least 21 years of age, live inside Williamson County, pass a background check, have a valid TX Driver’s License and commit to one year of service. Applicants meeting all specified requirements may be called for an in person interview.

Physical Requirements:
Due to the nature of this service, all Volunteers must be physically capable of navigating difficult terrain, must be able to stand for long periods of time, work in all weather conditions, climb multiple flights of stairs and lift weight of approximately 30 pounds.

To Apply:
If you would like more information regarding our volunteer program or to obtain an application, please call Julie Hobbs at 943-1374, email juliehobbs@wilco.org or go to the Williamson County website at www.wilco.org and download an application.

The deadline to register for the upcoming training is September 24, 2012 at 5:00pm. Classroom training is scheduled for 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM, Saturday, October 6, 2012. Attending this training in its entirety is not negotiable.

For further media information contact:

Sergeant John Foster
Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
Pager: 512-208-2188

Texas VINE

VINELink is the online version of VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday), the National Victim Notification Network. This service allows crime victims to obtain timely and reliable information about criminal cases and the custody status of offenders 24 hours a day. Some states have the ability to display this website in Spanish. Please click on the state where you wish to search. If this option is available, you will see an "English | Español" toggle in the upper right hand corner. Victims and other concerned citizens can also register to be notified by phone, email, text message (SMS) or TTY device when an offender's custody status changes. Users can also register through their participating state or county toll-free number.

Victim Assistance Volunteer Team

Our Volunteeer Program

The Victim Assistance Program is a division of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. The Victim Assistance Volunteer Team is a group of highly trained volunteers, specializing in crisis intervention for survivors, witnesses and families who have been traumatized by the experience of death, serious injury, violent crime, or natural disaster. Victim Assistance representatives are available to respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our Purpose

Following a traumatic event, people often feel helpless, confused and emotionally shocked. After the Emergency Responders (fire, police, and EMS) conduct their initial investigation, they often have other calls they must attend to. Victim Service Response Teams remain with the victims in the immediate aftermath to assist the victim(s) with temporary support through the first difficult hours and provide referrals for further assistance.

Types of situations we respond to….

It is our ultimate goal to have the ability to respond to any situation in which emergency personnel would need our assistance including but not limited to; homicides, suicides/suicidal attempts, natural death, death notifications, fires, child/elder abuse, family violence, sexual Assaults, traffic accidents, general welfare concerns, violent crimes and natural disasters.

Missing Persons

Name: Rachel Cooke
Missing Since: January 10, 2002 at 11:00 AM
Age: 20
Missing From: Home in North Lake Area, Georgetown, Texas
Sex: female
Height: 5 ft 2 in
Weight: 120
Eye Color: hazel
Hair Color: blonde with auburn streaks
Race: white
Complexion: fair
Birth Date: May 10, 1982

Distinguishing Marks: Ms. Cooke has pierced ears and a pierced naval. Both ears have multiple piercings, one ear having an upper piercing. She has tattoos of two heart shaped cherries on her left shoulder and a black star on her left foot.
Clothing Description: green sports top, grey shorts, Asics shoes and carrying a yellow Walkman
Rachel, visiting home from college, disappeared while she was out on her morning jog.

If you have any information about RACHEL COOKE please call:
Williamson County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-253-STOP
Williamson County Sheriff's Department at 512-943-1300
Texas Equusearch at 281-309-9500

Or contact the Detective directly working this case at cid@wilco.org

Victim Assistance Unit

Victim Assistance Recruitment Class

Texas VINE

Victim Assistance Volunteer Team

Missing Persons

Shelly de la Vega, Director (512) 943-1373 sdelavega@wilco.org

Julie Hobbs

Dean Higginbotham

Shelly de la Vega, Director
(512) 943-1373
sdelavega@wilco.org