After the 1985 abduction and brutal murder of her 12-year-old son Raymond, Miriam Fife wanted nothing more than to be at the courthouse to work alongside other victims as they made their way through the court system.


"Everybody that was contacting me was telling me, 'There is a strength in you that is so good for everybody else, and if you can get through this for what happened with your son, we can get through it'," said Fife.


After first volunteering her time with the Trumbull County Prosecutor's office, Miriam was eventually brought on board part-time through a grant.  Reflecting on the last day of her nearly 30 year career as a victim advocate, she said she heads into retirement feeling good about the journey.  A journey that included the creation of the Trumbull County Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children and her fight to allow victims to give statements in juvenile court.


"I fought for that for four years before it finally passed, and that was one of my big things I wanted to do," said Fife.


Over the years, Miriam says she has gotten close to a lot of families.  While it took her years to deal with the stress of the job, she was passionate about her work.


"It has kept my son's name out there and what happened to him.  It doesn't let people forget what can happen to children," said Fife.


Even though she is retiring, she told 21 News she will continue helping victims and their families.