JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville victims advocate is being recognized locally and nationally for her efforts to help crime victims, including a woman who police say was shot by her estranged husband in front of their son.
Zina Jiad works for the State Attorney's Office and was recently awarded the department's Distinguished Service Award. She received a standing ovation during the annual awards ceremony.
Recommended Videos
READ: Letter to Zina Jiad from National Organization for Victim Assistance
Among the families Jiad has helped are Farah Al Gburi and her son, Sam. Farah is paralyzed from the waist down after she was shot by her husband and left for dead, according to police.
From medical care and dependency court to criminal court, social services, shelter and Sam's education, Jiad has been with Farah and Sam through it all.
Jiad has also been given a national award and was invited to attend a special reception in Washington, D.C., during National Crime Victims' Rights Week next month.
In all, 12 individual awards were presented during the State Attorney's Office's annual internal awards ceremony, along with milestone honors for those who have been with the office for extended periods of time. The individual awards were:
Outstanding Administrative Support - Chris King, Information Technology. The award recognizes the support staff member whose work ethic and work product was particularly exemplary in the past year. King was presented the award by First Assistant Steve Siegel.
Outstanding Trial Support - Cody Taylor, paralegal. The award recognizes the investigator, paralegal, or victim advocate who consistently provided exceptional assistance to attorneys, victims, and witnesses in the trial process. Taylor was presented the award by Nassau County Deputy Director Donna Thurson and Targeted Prosecution Director Matt O'Keefe.
Outstanding Investigator - T.C. O'Steen, investigator. The award is presented to the investigator who provided extraordinary assistance to attorneys, victims, and witnesses. O'Steen was presented the award by Chief Investigator Tim Quick.
Leadership - Donna Cornellier, supervisor. The award recognizes the support staff member who showed he or she is willing to go above and beyond to help others in the office, demonstrates leadership skills, and works as a team player when coverage is needed. Cornellier was presented the award by First Assistant Steve Siegel. (Cornellier was not present at the awards.)
Community Service - LaTesha Campbell, assistant state attorney. The award recognizes an employee who provided exemplary volunteer service to the community through one or a series of organizations. Campbell was presented the award by Circuit Court Director Lara Mattina.
Group Achievement - The State of Florida v. Henry Hayes and Kquame Richardson trial team. The award recognizes a team within the office that executed a particularly difficult trial, has founded and led a new initiative. The Hayes and Richardson trial team was presented the award by Homicide Director Dan Skinner.
Significant Achievement - Mark Caliel, Targeted Prosecution director. The award recognizes an attorney who stood out for his or her performance in a single case or trial, or an attorney who contributed above and beyond to the office in terms of overall performance or leadership. Caliel was presented the award by Clay County Director Pam Hazel.
Trial Advocacy - Korey Milo, assistant state attorney. The award recognizes an attorney who performed with exceptional skill in trial work and preparation throughout the year. Milo was presented the award by Targeted Prosecution Director Matt O'Keefe.
Rookie of the Year - Lair Hall, assistant state attorney. The award is given to a young attorney who has shown particular trial skill, work ethic, and professionalism that exceeds all expectations. Hall was presented the award by Juvenile Director Laura Lothman Lambert.
State Attorney - London Kite, Attorney Development and Select Prosecutions director. This award is presented to an employee for exceptional effort and diligence in serving the people of the Fourth Circuit. State Attorney Melissa Nelson presented the award to Kite.
Mission, Values, and Vision - Laura Lothman Lambert, Juvenile director. This new award goes to an employee whose work embodies the values and ideas of the office and is selected by the state attorney. Lambert was presented the award by State Attorney Melissa Nelson.
Distinguished Service - Zina Jiad, victim specialist. The award is personally selected by the state attorney and presented to an individual who shows dedication, professionalism, and a willingness to step up and take on roles and responsibilities throughout the office. Jiad was presented the award by Assistant Chief State Attorney Mac Heavener.