Jasper County’s Kira Lazenby recognized for her work helping victims

Sergeant Kira Lazenby of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office was presented with the Law Enforcement Victim Service Award by the U.S. Department of Justice during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week for her unwavering commitment to ensuring victims receive immediate and comprehensive support.

The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa observed the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week from April 6 to 12. In addition to recognizing the courage and bravery of victims, the Southern District of Iowa also honored law enforcement.

In total, 11 individuals were awarded for their outstanding service to victims, including sheriff’s office personnel from various counties, a victim/witness liaison for a county attorney’s office, an official in the FBI and officers from numerous police departments across the state of Iowa.

According to a press release from the Department of Justice, Lazenby has investigated a wide range of victim-related cases, including domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and other violent crimes. She has displayed compassion, diligence and professionalism in her work.

Lazenby ensures victims are heard, supported and protected throughout the investigative and judicial process.

In 2024, without direction, she independently developed and implemented a county-wide victim information system to ensure that every law enforcement officer in Jasper County — across five agencies — had a standardized and easily accessible process for providing resources to victims.