Kent County Sheriff's Office

Victim Services Advocates Wedding

Submitted by Jerry Miedema

Victim Services Coordinator - Kent County Sheriff's Office

Fallasburg Park in Kent County was the setting for a May 17 wedding between two Victim Services advocates from the Kent County Sheriff's Office.

Joan Gamboni and Marty Truax were married in front of family, friends, and fellow advocates in a traditional Native American ceremony.  Pastor Calvin Hill, a full Navaho Indian performed the ceremony.

Attendants at the wedding were Mary Potter and Gord Ellens who are both also advocates with Victim Services.

Bride and groom attendants were dressed in traditional Native American clothing and the bride and groom both entered the park area riding on horseback.

Joan first became involved with Victim Services several years ago, in 1999, when her husband drowned in Lake Michigan near Muskegon and after the drowning she met with advocates Dee Latsch and Ruth Neal from Muskegon County and with Gordon Ellens.

About one year after the drowning Joan contacted Kent County Victim Services and stated that she was now interested in joining the program and becoming an advocate.  She realized what a positive experience it was for her in spending time with the advocates after the drowning of her husband Brad.

She went through the training and became an advocate in 2001.  She has since met Marty and they became engaged and he developed an interest in the program and after being trained he also joined the Kent County Sheriff's Office Victim Services Unit in June of 2003. 

Marty and Joan now serve together as a team with the Victim Services Unit.