Hazel . Heckers
Colorado Bureau of Investigation
Hazel Heckers’ graduate degree is in Jungian Psychology. After working as a therapist in hospice a number of years, Hazel discovered victim assistance. She has been a victim advocate since the late 1980’s, when the victim assistance movement was just beginning, and is honored to have been able to participate in making the movement into a respected profession. As a victim advocate, Hazel became known as a respected expert in the areas of crimes against the elderly and people with disabilities, and working with the family members and loved ones of homicide victims. She has been a pioneer in the field; facilitating the first Law Enforcement Protocol for response to caregiver abuse, starting Colorado’s first Kinship Care Support Program, establishing support groups and counseling programs for families and loved ones of homicide victims, bringing Safety School to Colorado grade schools, and establishing cross training programs for Law Enforcement and Human Services responding to Elder Abuse. Hazel participated in writing and advocating for Colorado’s At-Risk-Adults legislation, defining abuse against older adults and people with disabilities. Hazel is the Victim Assistance Coordinator with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Hazel and her team provide specialized victim assistance services for victims of identity theft and fraud and for the co-victims of cold case homicides and missing persons. Her team facilitates a one of a kind support group for the families of missing persons. Hazel provides direct services and support to crime victims and coordinates community education and professional training across the state and on a national basis. Hazel worked to establish the first 24 Hour ID Theft and Fraud Hotline in the nation and was in the forefront in bringing the issues of Medical ID Theft, Child ID Theft, Family Violence and ID Theft, and Disaster Response Related ID Theft and Fraud to light. She is considered a national expert in ID Theft, Fraud, related Cyber Crimes and Romance Scams. Hazel is the 2014 recipient of the U.S. Department of Justice National Crime Victim Service Award. Previous honors include: Excellence in Service Award from National TRIAD, Woman of the Year from Domestic Violence Initiatives, Excellence in Service Award from the State Department of Human Services, and Excellence in Service and Team Excellence Awards from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
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