PALESTINE — Renee Moore walked out of the Anderson County district attorney’s office Friday afternoon with mixed emotions.
One part of her knew she would miss the heartfelt relationships forged with hurting people dealing with the unknown and unexpected trials of being a victim of crime.
Another part, however, was filled with the excitement of beginning a new journey and opening a new chapter in her life.
After a fruitful 6 1/2 years on the job, Moore is moving from her position as Anderson County crime victims’ coordinator in the district attorney’s office down East Lacy Street to the Anderson County Juvenile Probation Department.
On Saturday, Moore graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler with a degree in criminal justice and will begin her employment as a juvenile probation officer Jan. 2.
Although eager to start her new assignment, Moore admitted that standing alongside crime victims of all ages and types for the past 6 1/2 years has left an everlasting impression.
“I don’t think I realized how much I was going to learn from the victims,” Moore said late last week, “and that’s really who I want to say thank you to.”
The life lessons learned have been many for Moore. Watching crime victims stand strong in the face of unimaginable pain and sometimes even tragedy has made her “faith stronger.
“They’ve really made a difference in the way I see things,” Moore said. “They’ve given me hope. In seven years, I’ve seen people at the lowest of their lows.”
Moore said she receives Christmas cards every year from some of the people she came to know only through her job as crime victims’ coordinator. She has formed a “bond” with many of those special people.
“When I walk out of here today,” Moore said Friday, “I don’t think that’s going to change.”
Through the years, Moore has maintained photographs in her office of some of the people whose lives have touched hers’. She has taken it a step further, keeping some photos in her wallet for her own personal strength.
“I have pictures of some of the folks,” Moore said. “The strength that they have is amazing. On those days I don’t want to get out of bed, I realize I have a lot to be thankful for.”
Anderson County District Attorney Doug Lowe said Moore “will be impossible to replace.
“It’s been a joy to have her up here,” Lowe stated. “We’re really going to miss her.”
Lowe hopes the void created by Moore’s career change will be short-lived. He is optimistic the post could be filled as soon as the first of the new year.
“It’s too important of a job to be vacant,” Lowe said. “In this office, the work is every bit as important as any lawyer we have.”
In two weeks, Moore moves into a new arena. Instead of guiding crime victims through a complex, often-confusing legal maze, she will pour her focus into helping young people in their battle to keep from becoming lifelong defendants in the same system.
“It’s a whole different world,” Moore said. “I’m excited because it is different and new. As sad as I am to leave everybody here behind, I’m excited to work with new people.”
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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com
Features
December 19, 2006
Starting a New Chapter
Renee Moore leaves DA's office for job as juvenile probation officer
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