May 7, 2025
NATCHITOCHES – Patricia Giovingo’s vast experience working with crime victim issues and crime victim rights led to her appointment as coordinator of Victim’s Advocacy for the governor’s office and now has extended to chairing the French Quarter Terrorism Attack Memorial Commission. Her job in that role is to work with a committee tasked with providing a recommendation for a permanent memorial to honor the victims of the attack that took place Jan. 1 in New Orleans.
As committee chair, Giovingo will coordinate with victims’ families, Louisiana First Lady Sharon Landry, elected officials from the state and local level, law enforcement and French Quarter resident and business owner representatives to recommend “a space to not only honor, cherish and respect the memories of those lost, but also gain some comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity,” according to Gov. Jeff Landry’s April 22 proclamation.
The tragedy occurred shortly after 3 a.m. New Year’s morning when a terrorist drove a vehicle from Canal Street onto Bourbon Street while the French Quarter was still populated with revelers. Fourteen people were killed and dozens more injured before the driver crashed the truck after traveling three blocks. The terrorist was shot and killed by police.
“Once all of the members of the Commission are named, we will have one year to complete the process and make a recommendation to the Governor,” Giovingo said. “My main goal will be to lead the Commission in creating a memorial that will honor and pay tribute to the 14 victims who lost their lives in the terrorist attack, as well as recognizing the more than 40 victims who were injured, and whose lives were permanently impacted by the attack.”
In addition to the impactful work she does as the senior coordinator of Victims Advocacy, she is also working towards a degree in criminal justice at Northwestern State University, with 30 hours left to complete. She earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Baton Rouge Community College in 2012 and has worked in the criminal justice field for almost 30 years.
“I began my career working for the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Claiborne Parish in 1995 and that is where my love of the criminal justice system started,” she said. “In 1999, I moved to the Baton Rouge area and accepted a position with the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association where I eventually started working with the District Attorney Victim Assistance Coordinators from across Louisiana focusing on crime victim issues and crime victim rights.”
In 2013, she was offered a job with the U.S. Attorney’s Office as a legal assistant and was eventually promoted to the supervisor over the legal assistants. She spent more than six years in that position and thought she had reached the top of my career until she was offered the position with Governor Landry’s Office as his Senior Coordinator of Victims’ Advocacy.
“When Governor Landry was running for office, he promised that he would make crime victims a priority. A very dear friend of mine who is the Victim Assistance Coordinator in the Iberia Parish DA’s Office is also friends with Governor Landry and he asked her to recommend someone for the new position he was creating in his office. She told me I was the only person she would recommend for the job and asked me if I was interested. I responded ‘Absolutely!’ I interviewed for the position and was offered the job the next day. I have worked with crime victims off and on beginning with my time at the DA’s Office and have always had a passion for the work.”
Five family members or victims of the attack will be appointed to the commission while other victims or family members may serve as ex-officio members. They will all have a voice and have input into the final Memorial, Giovingo said.
“I have had the honor of working with the families of the 14 victims who were lost, as well as the injured victims, since right after the attack occurred. I sat with mothers and fathers and hugged them as they cried and talked about the child they lost. I know the name of every victim who was lost, and I now know their families. Working with the families and victims has been heartbreaking and extremely emotional at times and it has been hard. But I am thankful that I am in the position that I am and that I have been able to help and provide support and a sense of comfort to these families and victims”
Many of the injured victims are still recovering and have been appreciative of the support they have received from Giovingo’s office.
“I think the most important thing for all of those impacted by the terrorist attack is to know they are not forgotten which is why creating a permanent memorial is so important,” she said. “I also feel that it is important to make sure that the voices of all who were directly impacted by the attack are heard during the process. I will be seeking guidance from the leaders of other terrorism and mass violence incident memorial efforts who can provide helpful advice before the Commission begins their planning.”
What is ultimately decided upon will depend on the location and what New Orleans zoning laws will allow.
“The hope is that the memorial will offer a place for comfort to the families of those who lost a loved one, those who were injured, and anyone else who was affected by this act of terrorism and provide a place for the community and visitors to remember and reflect on the tragedy that occurred,” Giovingo said.
