In observance of the “National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims”, the Spokane County Victim/Witness Unit has announced it will hold a vigil on Sept.19 in the County Commissioner’s Hearing Room on the lower level of the Public Works Building (1026 W. Broadway Ave.) from 5:30-7 p.m.

According to a news release, as of 1951, the Victim/Witness Unit has documented 624 murders, vehicular homicides, manslaughters, and unsolved violent crimes from throughout Spokane County. While a few of these cases occurred in other areas, the victims’ families are located here and all too often, they are still struggling to cope with the murder of a loved one.

To remember those who lost their lives to a violent crime, the Victim/Witness Unit will also be collecting shoes for a special memorial display. Each pair of shoes will represent a murder victim and, in a small way, you can “put yourself in their shoes” by honoring them, according to the release. From boots to booties, wing-tips to flip-flops, every pair of shoes that they receive will be included in the murder victim memorial that will be located next to the Law Enforcement Memorial on the County Courthouse campus on Sept. 21. They ask the shoes be in good condition because the Volunteers of America will pick them up on and deliver them to various shelters and charities in the area.

If you have a pair of shoes that you would like to donate, please bring them to the following locations (make sure they are tied together or put a rubber band around them):

• Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office (lobby) – Public Safety Building, 1100 W. Mallon Avenue
• Lutheran Community Services – 210 W. Sprague Avenue
• YWCA – 930 N. Monroe Street