Shasta County is fortunate to have many exemplary employees. On a daily basis, their dedication, integrity, creativity, and professionalism are called upon to maintain the high quality of local public services enjoyed by the citizens of Shasta County. Their jobs are becoming more challenging as public expectations of service and demands for increased efficiency escalate. In this environment, it is important that we recognize those employees who set the standard of excellence and dedication for the entire organization. Their contribution deserves the thanks and appreciation of the entire County family and the citizens of the community.
In this spirit, the Board is being asked to recognize the Employee of the Month, who has been nominated by the Employee Recognition Committee. This nomination is based on a review of all nominations using the selection criteria provided for in the Employee Recognition Policy. It is the recommendation of the Employee Recognition Committee that Sarah Murphy, Deputy District Attorney, of the Shasta County District Attorney's Office, be recognized as the July 2017 Employee of the Month.
Ms. Murphy has been employed as a Deputy District Attorney in Shasta County since 2010. She has shown herself to be fully capable to be entrusted with some of the most serious and sensitive cases handled by this office. Since 2012, Ms. Murphy has been assigned to prosecute child sexual and physical abuse cases. Despite the difficult and emotional nature of these crimes, she has excelled.
Crime victims are perhaps the most important participants in the criminal justice system. They can also present a special challenge to prosecutors. This is particularly true when the victims are children who have been traumatized by the horrors of physical or sexual abuse. It takes a unique person to work with these victims to the point where they are able to share their story in a courtroom full of strangers. Ms. Murphy does an exemplary job of making these victims feel comfortable and supported. She regularly meets with victims to explain to them, on a level they can understand, about the court process and testifying. Once the victims actually have to testify in court, Ms. Murphy makes every effort to minimize the trauma of being in court.
Ms. Murphy manages a heavy caseload of complex and sensitive cases and achieves positive results. She nearly always prevails at trial, and the defendants she prosecutes routinely are sentenced to lengthy prison sentences. Shasta County citizens are well-served by the aggressive work of Deputy District Attorney Murphy to insure that sexual predators are no longer able to victimize the children of our community.
Sarah Murphy is a tremendous asset as an employee. The Shasta County District Attorney's Office is fortunate to have her. She is an amazing example of an exemplary public employee.