EVENTS

Douglas Residents Honor Survivors at Candlelight Vigil

Bruce Whetten – bruce.whetten@myheraldreview.com – Oct 21, 2025

DOUGLAS – An estimated 75 to 80 people gathered on Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Douglas Police Department for the city’s annual Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil, an event honoring and remembering victims and survivors of domestic violence.

Now in its 30th consecutive year, the vigil began with a memorial walk from the YMCA Plaza on Pan American Avenue to the police station on 14th Street. Participants carried signs displaying important dates, names, and messages of awareness.

The Douglas vigil tradition began in 1995, shortly after the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1994. The legislation, first introduced by then-Senator Joe Biden in 1990, faced initial resistance before eventually being passed. VAWA has since been instrumental in improving the criminal justice response to domestic violence and expanding victim services across the country.

Rosie Mendoza Chapa, who was recognized during the event by Sgt. Jesus Davidson of the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, shared historical context about local advocacy. She, along with several Douglas residents — including Cornelia Munoz, Virginia Levinson, Judy Flanagan, Mary Beth Sutton, Father Luis Chavez, Ramon Garcia, Celia Austin, Connie Hoyos, Sister Susan Kold, Katherine Murphy, Rosemary Verdugo, the late Howard Henderson, and former Douglas Mayor Elizabeth Ames — helped form the original Douglas Task Force to address domestic violence in the community.

Mendoza noted that Arizona passed its first domestic violence law in 1980. In 1991, the Southern Arizona Harley Riders began their annual “Run to the Border” to support local crisis centers. Other milestones included the 1997 opening of the House of Hope in Douglas, the establishment of the first Department of Justice-funded domestic violence advocate and investigator in 1998, and the first countywide Domestic Violence Awareness Month events in 1999.

Douglas Police Chief Kraig Fullen, in his remarks, reflected on the vigil’s history and the ongoing challenges surrounding domestic violence.

“Domestic violence affects people from all walks of life, both directly and indirectly,” Chief Fullen said. “It is one of the more common calls for service our officers respond to on nearly a daily basis. Given their unpredictability, these calls remain among the most dangerous for law enforcement.”

He highlighted the troubling statewide statistics:

“Despite legislation in Arizona mandating arrest in domestic violence cases, our state remains among the leaders in reported abuse. In 2024, Arizona ranked No. 4 nationally, according to BreakTheCycle.org, citing data from the World Population Review,” he said. “Our officers responded to 191 calls in 2022, 108 in 2023, 230 in 2024, and so far in 2025, we’ve handled 138 calls. These are only the incidents reported to us — we recognize many go unreported.”

Chief Fullen emphasized that while factors like financial stress, substance abuse, and mental health issues may contribute to abusive behavior, none of them excuse it.

“Abuse comes in many forms,” he added. “We regularly arrest individuals for assault, disorderly conduct, and criminal damage. But abuse isn’t always physical — it can include demeaning language, threats, manipulation, control over finances or movement, and isolation from family or friends.

“We understand that leaving an abusive relationship is complex and deeply personal. It is a decision only you can make — but it’s not one you have to make alone. To all survivors, I say: you are not alone. If not you, then who? If not now, then when? We stand ready to help when you are ready. A relationship should be a partnership — not ownership. It takes a community to police a community, and together we can make a difference.”

Douglas Mayor Jose Grijalva read a proclamation officially declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the city.

Later in the evening, Mendoza and Munoz recognized several individuals for their contributions to the fight against domestic violence:

• Detective Roger Rodriguez – Douglas Police Department
• Sgt. Ray Miramontes – Douglas Police Department
• Flor Barra & Lilia Marrufo – Outreach and Enrollment Specialists, Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc.
• Pamela Duarte – Community Counselor III, Pinal Hispanic Council
• Bruce Whetten – Herald/Review Media reporter who has covered the vigil since its inception in 1995

Rev. Peggy Christianson of First Presbyterian Church closed the ceremony with a benediction, reminding attendees that domestic violence causes both visible and invisible harm — and that its effects can last a lifetime.