_{MICHELLE MANN}

Laughter mixed with tears and hugs as hundreds of family members, friends, supporters and law officers gathered at the Wiregrass Angel House Memorial Garden on North Bell Street in Dothan Thursday to honor Wiregrass crime victims.

“This day is more than an event,” said WAH Executive Director Shelly Linderman. “It’s a moment for our community to light the darkness together, remember each name, and let every family know: Your loved one is not forgotten.”

Wiregrass Angel House holds the vigil on National Remembrance Day annually to honor victims of crime. “We gather to honor the lives of those taken by violence and to stand with the families left behind,” said Linderman about the candlelight vigil that included recitation of each victim’s name, a display of 459 personalized white crosses adorned with purple ribbons, and a balloon release.

Wiregrass Angel House

Established in 2004 at the “old” Dothan city jail to be “a voice for those who no longer have one and for the people who love them,” Wiregrass Angel House has provided services to more than 10,000 crime victims’ survivors serving people in Barbour, Bullock, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Pike Counties. “Our mission is to help victims and survivors by providing direct services to them at no cost,” said Linderman. “Our staff is available to respond quickly to crime scenes–whether the crime occurs at a business or home, we are there to assist family members of victims and survivors.”

Services include counseling, crime scene clean up, crisis assistance, funeral arrangements, a 24-hour crisis line, and court advocacy. “By assisting them from the very beginning of their journey and supporting them through each phase, Wiregrass Angel House enables victims to reclaim their lives and move forward as empowered survivors,” Linderman said.

‘You are not alone’

“Look around you,” Linderman told the family members and friends of crime victims attending the vigil. “When you think you are alone, you are not.”

“Families learn to heal through sharing their stories,” she said. “We tell them to share their stories. It’s probably the most vital thing they do.”

‘Justice for Dixie’

“Justice for Dixie” printed on the bright pink tee shirts worn by the family of the late Dixie Jordan Shirah is part of telling her story, said Shirah’s mother, Amy Mahan. “We scream it loud and proud.”

The 28-year-old mother of two daughters was found dead in a Dothan residence Oct. 6, 2023. “She had a heart of gold, said her mother. “She was the most caring, outgoing person who would give anyone anything.”

The last thing her family knew is that Shirah was door-dashing, Mahan said, adding that when she was not heard from her family reported her missing to the law authorities. “And the next thing we know we’re getting a call from a detective telling us that she has been shot to death.”

John Allen Kolkman, 58, has been in Houston County Jail since March 28, 2024, charged with murder in connection with Shirah’s death. “This monster thought it was a good idea to take my daughter’s life,” Mahan said. “We’re all here for her today. There is never going to be a day that this gets easy.”

For more information

The Wiregrass Angel House is located at 105 North Bell Street in Dothan. Office hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The phone number is (334) 702-7010. The 24-hour crisis phone line is (866) 318-6225.