Chris was awarded the prestigious Robert W. Leach Victim Advocate Award on Thursday at the annual Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) Awards Dinner.

Chris is the first individual to receive the Victim Advocate Award that has not personally suffered the loss of a family member to homicide. Kelly received the award because of his exceptional support of and empathy for victims’ rights. Specifically, Chris has worked closely with LaWanda Hawkins of Justice for Murdered Children, who lost her son to murder and Jane Bouffard of Justice for Homicide Victims who lost her parents to homicide. ADDA President Steve Ipsen presented the award to Kelly.

“Chris Kelly has repeatedly shown support, compassion, and concern for victims’ rights. Chris has been a strong advocate for social and political change for victims and we are thrilled to present him with this award,” said Ipsen.

The ADDA represents the interests of over 1,000 Deputy District Attorneys employed by the District Attorney of the County of Los Angeles and is the largest prosecutors union in the country. ADDA endorsed Chris' candidacy for California Attorney General in early August. Recently, Chris was also appointed to serve as an Honorary Board Member of the Golden Badge Foundation.

Each year, the Robert W. Leach Victim Advocate Award is given to out to individuals whom have demonstrated outstanding leadership in advocating for victims’ rights. Robert W. Leach, who passed away in 2008, was a champion for rights of homicide victim survivors following the brutal murder of his stepdaughter in 1983. Leach co-founded Justice for Homicide Victims; a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources about the grieving process and criminal justice system to survivors and relatives of murder victims.