Deputy Bennett receives Law Enforcement Victim Services Award
Deputy Erin Bennett with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office accepted an award recently from United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa, Lief Olson. Bennett was recognized for her work on a recent case involving a vulnerable 18-year-old girl who was being sexually abused.
By APRIL KELLEY
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa commemorated National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) from April 19–25, 2026.
This year’s NCVRW theme is Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect Victims, Serve Communities. The weeklong initiative promotes victims’ rights and honors crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf.
“This week gives us a chance to thank the people and organizations whose tireless work comforts victims of crime in Iowa, giving them support, life-saving services, and, most importantly, hope,” said United States Attorney Leif Olson.
As part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 19–25, 2026, United States Attorney Leif Olson announced the recipients of awards for outstanding work in service to victims of crime.
Receiving the Law Enforcement Victim Services Award were Deputy Erin Bennett, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office; Special Agent Holly Witt, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation; and Detective Christopher Wuebker, Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.
The Award for Victim Services honors individuals or groups working in a victim-service role. The Law Enforcement Victim Services Award is the highest federal honor for victim services presented to law enforcement officers in Iowa.
“These recipients are heroes,” said Olson. “Victims and their families don’t ask to be made part of our criminal-justice system, but the system can’t succeed without their help.
“Ensuring that they are safe, respected and understood throughout the investigation and trial is crucial to making sure that justice is done. Deputy Bennett, Special Agent Witt and Ms. Harms are role models, going above and beyond even the high standards of the local, state and federal law-enforcement and victim-services teams serving Iowans every day,” Olson concluded.
Deputy Bennett and Special Agent Witt received the Law Enforcement Victim Services Award and Harms receives the Award for Victim Services for their work leading to the successful arrest of two predatory criminals alleged to have sexually abused a vulnerable young girl over a period of time.
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