Carla Cross, a detective with the Radford City Police Department has received the Unsung Heroes Award, presented by the state’s attorney general for outstanding service and support to the victims of crime in the commonwealth.
Cross was one of 11 Virginians to receive the award this year. It is presented annually during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
A police officer since 2005 who has been working in the Criminal Investigations Bureau at the
Radford City Police Department since 2010, Cross is known for building relationships with victims and fostering a safe environment for victims following a crime.
She has primarily worked child abuse and sexual assault cases for over eight years. She also serves as the coordinator for the Radford Police Department’s Lethality Assessment Program, collaborating with the Women’s Resource Center on advocate training. Detective Cross has also served as a member of the region’s multi-disciplinary team for child abuse and coordinating council since 2010.
Upon receiving the award, Detective Cross said, “This is an incredible honor to receive for a job I love. I am fortunate to work in a community that I care deeply about with an amazing team of professionals.
“Trauma does not end with a police report or trial. and it is important to advocate for victims through the justice system and beyond,” Cross said. “It takes all of us to make a difference. I am so proud to work for and with our community to help victims become survivors.”
“I would like to thank Attorney General Mark Herring and his team for recognizing the hard
work of Detective Cross,” said Radford City Police Department Chief Jeff Dodson. “ Detective Cross has a passion for serving her community and ensuring that all victims are treated with the highest levels of dignity and respect.
“Detective Cross is highly respected for her work and is often called upon to assist in some of the most complex cases here in the New River Valley,” the chief said. “We are proud of her and are very fortunate to have her on our team here at the Radford City Police Department.”
“Detective Cross works tirelessly on behalf of victims of crime,” said Sarah Akers Campbell, director of the Victim Witness Program. “She goes above and beyond to support victims during their darkest times. The Victim Witness Program appreciates all her hard work and dedication.”
Laura Beth Weaver, Executive Director of the Women’s Resource Center, said, “The Unsung Hero award is well deserved by Detective Cross, and we applaud and appreciate her efforts on behalf of victims of violence in the City of Radford. The Women’s Resource Center is grateful for her tireless efforts and her partnership in our work towards a community free of sexual and domestic violence.”
Attorney General Mark Herring established the Unsung Heroes Awards in 2017 to acknowledge those individuals across the state working tirelessly to aid victims in their recovery and healing, to promote trauma-informed responses, to challenge permissive or dismissive attitudes towards victims’ issues, and to effect change.
