Event Date: April 16, 2025
Location: Royal Sonesta Houston Hotel
Event: Luncheon
Beneficiary: Crime Stoppers of Houston
No. in attendance: 300
Monies raised: $170,000
Honorees: Rocky K9, Shelby Hodge, April Aguirre, Deborah Duncan, Lisa and Michael Holthouse, Justin J. Watt Foundation, Frances Moody Buzbee, Jordan Seff and Vanessa Ames
Photography: Quy Tran Photography
Compassion, Courage and Champions Were Celebrated at 2025 Crime Stoppers of Houston Heroes Awards Luncheon
The Crime Stoppers of Houston’s Annual Houston Heroes Awards Luncheon is always a powerful and emotional gathering. In its unique and heartfelt way, it recognizes individuals and organizations whose dedication and service to public safety continues to make Houston and Texas safer for all. Such was the case as a crowd of 300 gathered at Royal Sonesta Houston Hotel to celebrate courage, compassion and champions (human and animal)!
Young Professional Founding Board Members Ryan Dumais, Kaleta Johnson and Whitney Lawson opened the program with touching remarks. Once these rising young active professionals set the tone, they turned the podium over to Crime Stoppers CEO Rania Mankarious, who shared a compelling address of the organization’s growing statewide impact, its commitment to safety across Texas and the trusted Tip Line’s critical role in solving crimes. Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s rousing speech echoed the importance of collaboration and shared responsibilities of all public officials, dignitaries, victim advocates and community leaders, bringing the excited crowd to a fever pitch!
Lauded with honors at this esteemed event were K-9 Rocky of the U.S. Marshals Service, a Belgian Malinois who was recognized for his heroic efforts at apprehending suspect Robert Lee Davis earlier this year. Davis tragically took the life of Brazoria County Deputy Sheriff Jesus “Jesse” Vargas. Rocky was introduced by Tena Faust and Tama Lundquist. More awards went out to Shelby Hodge, introduced by media icon Dave Ward; April Aguirre introduced by Andy Kahan; Deborah Duncan presented by Brigitte Kalai and Alicia Smith; Lisa and Michael Holthouse presented by Rania Mankarious; Justin J. Watt Foundation; Frances Moody Buzbee introduced by Sheridan Williams; and Jordan Seff and Vanessa Ames presented by Dylan Seff and Chuck Ames.
As Rania so eloquently states, “This event celebrates courage, compassion and unwavering dedication. This year’s honorees represent what is best about our city and state. Whether it’s a brave K9, a visionary leader, or an advocate who’s been quietly moving mountains, each of them reminds us that real heroes walk among us.” Everyone attending left a believer, as $170,000 was raised to help Crime Stoppers of Houston continue its good works.
In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned): Chris Massey, Ingrid Moody, Steve and Natalie Mohtashami, John Eddie Williams, Brooke Lee, Tyson Faust, Shafik Rifaat, Patricia and Tom Ritter, Robert Arriaga, Lindsay and Scott Aronstein, Michelle Heinz, Kim Ogg, Ricardo Nazario, Mayte Sera Weitzman, Kirk Kveton, Sandra Smith Cooper, Russell Molina, Chief Tony Leal (Retired), Lilac Guzman, Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare, Harris County Commissioner Tom Ramsey, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, Vice Mayor Pro Tem Amy Peck, Houston Police Department Chief Noe Diaz, Council Members Sallie Alcorn, Twila Carter, Willie Davis, Mario Castillo, Fred Flickinger, Julian Ramirez, Piney Point Village Mayor Aliza Dutt, Harris County Precinct One Constable Alan Rosen, Harris County Judges Emily DeToto, Beverly Armstrong, Lori Chambers Gray, Maritza Antu, Tonya McLaughlin, Brad Hart and Chad Bridges, Houston Police Officer’s Union Members Douglas Griffith, Kenneth Nealy, Rhonda Williams, Tim Whitaker and Terry Seagler
