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The Walk for Victims at Tazewell Municipal Park last Monday was led by Carlie Hopson, her husband Matthew and son Solomon. Carlie’s mother Lori Ann Hopson was murdered by her husband in Claiborne County just over one year ago. (Photos by Jay Compton)

8th District Attorney General Jared Effler speaks to the crowd during the fifth annual Walk for Victims.

Claiborne County Mayor Joe Brooks reads the county’s proclamation recognizing April 6-12 as National Crime Victims Week in the county.

New Tazewell Mayor Stan Leonard reads his city’s National Crime Victims Week proclamation.

Tazewell Police Chief Jeremy Meyers, representing Mayor Bill Fannon, shared his city’s National Crime Week proclamation.

Carlie Hopson was joined by her husband Matthew and son Solomon as she spoke about the support her family received through the DA’s office following her mother’s murder last year.

Tyler DeBusk closed the Walk for Victims program with a prayer.

Powell Valley Electric provided a free lunch for those who participated in the Walk for Victims and that was served by volunteers from Steven Hurley’s Criminal Justice class at Cumberland Gap High School.

Attorney General Jared Effler hosted the fifth annual Walk for Victims this week at various locations across the 8th Judicial District. The event in Claiborne County was held on Monday at the Tazewell Municipal Park and featured proclamations from Claiborne County Mayor Joe Brooks, New Tazewell Mayor Stan Leonard and Tazewell Mayor Bill Fannon. Carlie Hopson, whose mother Lori Ann was murdered just over one year ago, was the featured speaker and led the walk around the park’s track with her husband Matthew and son Solomon.

Effler opened the program by welcoming everyone to the Walk for Victims.

“It’s an honor for my office to host these walks for victims in each of our five counties as we commemorate National Crime Victims Rights Week, support crime victims and always remember the Crime Victims Bill of Rights here in the great state of Tennessee,” he said.

Effler thanked the city of Tazewell for hosting the walk in Claiborne County.

“They literally rolled out the red carpet for us this morning and we appreciate them very much,” he said.

He also praised his staff at the 8th District Attorney General’s Office and all of the area’s law enforcement officers that work closely with the prosecutors.

“I hope that I’m never in a setting such as this and fail to recognize my heroes. I have the greatest job in the world because each morning I get up and get to work with our great men and women in law enforcement. Many of them are here representing agencies across Claiborne County and this region,” he said.

Effler also recognized the local services providers that were on hand, notably from the Claiborne Family Justice Center and the Child Advocacy Center.

“A few years ago we became the first rural judicial district in the entire state to have two Family Justice Centers and to my knowledge we’re still the only district that has a Child Advocacy Center in each of our counties,” he said. “That’s a testament to the support that our communities give. So let’s give our service providers a nice round of applause as well.”

He recognized several elected officials that were in attendance including Trustee Denise Alexander and members of her staff, Clerk and Master Patricia Simmons and members of her office, General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Robert Estep and Chief Deputy Ron Hayes representing the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department.

County Mayor Joe Brooks was then introduced to read the county’s proclamation declaring April 6-12 as National Crime Victims Week in Claiborne County.

“Before I read this I just want to say that I’m fortunate to have been able to come to this for many years now, but it’s unfortunate that we have to have it,” Brooks said. “We all want to stand as a community with our victims. We want to do this every year to let you know that we’ve not forgotten and that we support you in your grieving process.”

New Tazewell Mayor Stan Leonard was introduced to read his city’s proclamation reaffirming their commitment to victims services and criminal justice response during National Crime Victims Week.

“It’s heart-warming to see such a big turnout on such a cold day,” Leonard said.

Tazewell Mayor Bill Fannon was represented by Police Chief Jeremy Meyers in reading that city’s National Crime Victims Week proclamation.

“The mayor signed that proclamation recognizing April 6-12, 2025 as Crime Victims Rights Week and we are thrilled to be a part of it,” Meyers said.

The focus of the program then turned to featured speaker Carlie Hopson, whose mother Lori Ann was murdered by her husband in Claiborne County just over one year ago.

“One of the bittersweet things about my job is that throughout the course of our work we form a lot of bonds and make a lot of friendships with victims’ families. That’s certainly the case with our next speaker, Carlie Hopson,” Effler said. “Carlie lost her mother in one of the most horrific cases that my office has ever prosecuted. Throughout the process, Carlie and her family never failed to meet with us when we needed them. The grace and dignity with which they handled that tragedy is something that should be the standard for all families to abide by.

“When we asked Carlie if she would be willing to share her thoughts and remind us how important it is that we never forget crime victims — that’s really why we’re here today — she hesitantly stepped forward as she always does. We appreciate her and her family so much.”

Hopson, joined by her husband Matthew and son Solomon, thanked the District Attorney General’s Office for making her and her family feel loved and cared for under such horrible circumstances.

“On April 2, 2024, a monster decided to take my mother’s life in one of the most cruel and painful ways you can imagine. Through all this we were overwhelmed with love and care,” she said, holding back tears. “In those trying times we can’t thank the District Attorney’s Office enough for making us, as victims, feel so loved and for how they showed they cared for us.”

She said they were also thankful that “the man who so brutally took my mother’s life is in prison for what will hopefully be the rest of his life.”

“He ripped my mother away, not just from the life she had, but the long life she had left to live,” Hopson said.

She added that while nothing can ever bring her mother back she is very thankful that the man is behind bars and will never have the opportunity to harm anyone else.

“My mom was a beautiful-hearted woman who would do anything she could for anyone she met. She brought so much light and laughter wherever she was, and had the most beautiful, contagious smile,” Hopson said. “We truly mourn the loss of my mother every single day. We have to go on with life the very best that we possibly can — most of those days it seems impossible, some days it feels so unreal and others it feels so overwhelmingly real that it makes me sick.”

She closed by saying it was an amazing feeling to know the DA’s office would take the time and effort to show such support for the victims’ families and survivors of violent crimes.

“It’s something that shows us all that even when we feel like we’re all alone, we really aren’t, we have a community,” Hopson said.

Effler thanked Carlie for sharing her inspiring words.

“And thank you for continuing to turn your tragedy into a blessing and an inspiration to other victims and their families,” he said.

Tyler DeBusk closed the program with a prayer and a blessing for the food before Carlie and her family led the group in a walk around the park’s track.

Powell Valley Electric provided lunch after the walk for those participating.

“We really appreciate those folks for stepping up and being a sponsor,” Effler said. “I know many of you know Matt Rogers, he’s evidently the chief chef at Powell Valley Electric so if you see Matt give him a big hug and tell him how much you appreciate him.”
Steven Hurley’s Criminal Justice class from Cumberland Gap High School were also on hand to volunteer and help serve lunch.

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