By Polly Keary, Editor
The congregation of St. Mary of the Valley Catholic Church doesn't need an awareness month to remind them about the presence of domestic violence in the community.
The absence of Jacoba Ramirez-Rodriguez, slain by her husband in May as she tried to serve him with a protection order, is still keenly felt in her former congregation.
Now that congregation wants to spread the awareness of domestic violence to the community, and as October is national Domestic Violence Awareness Month, they are holding a vigil to remember her on Monday, Oct. 14 at the church.
Ramirez-Rodgriguez, 34, had gotten a protection order from the court, testifying that her husband, Oscar Garcia-Pacheco, 32, had erroneously accused her of infidelity and that she was afraid for her safety. He had a history of hitting her, but she had finally decided to seek help, she said.
Garcia-Pacheco encountered her at the couple's business on Lewis Street and attacked her on the sidewalk outside as she was attempting to retrieve the papers from her car. He has been charged with murder.
For the members of St. Mary of the Valley Catholic Church, the loss of Jacoba was devastating. So to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month, they are holding a candlelight vigil at the church Monday night from 7-8 p.m. to "honor and remember those who lost their lives to domestic violence."
The church is located at 601 W. Columbia St. in Monroe.
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