Among those paying tribute to a slain Vermont social worker on Sunday were top state officials. They voiced a need to reduce negativity about state workers that leads to a culture of violent retribution.
Lara Sobel was a social worker at the Department for Children and Families office in Barre. On Friday, as she left work for the week, she was shot and killed by 40-year old Jody Herring, according to police. Sobel handled the case in which Herring lost custody of her 9-year-old daughter.
A memorial and vigil were held Sunday in Barre in Sobel’s honor. Doug Gibson, spokesman for the Vermont State Employees Association, says their members came together to organize the event. “It’s hit us very hard. You don’t really expect it in Vermont and I think people are pretty shell-shocked right now. I think we’ll get stronger from this. There’s a lot of work to do and a lot of things to look at with respect to how DCF workers, frontline workers, are treated when they’re out in the field and the risks that are inherent in the job itself. But tonight was just a chance for everybody to come together and grieve and mourn the loss of a very truly dedicated woman.”
The Department for Children and Families is part of the Agency of Human Services. Secretary Hal Cohen has led the Agency for seven months. “My heart really goes out to Lara’s family and to all of you who have worked closely with her and to all state workers. Every day you’re out there protecting Vermonters. Every day you save children’s lives. You protect families. And you absolutely don’t get the recognition that you deserve. The narrative has been so negative about state workers and about the important work that you do. We need to turn that around. We need to recognize and honor the work that all of you do. Again my condolences. May the family be comforted in all of us.”
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin heard about the shooting while on vacation with his daughters and immediately returned to the state. “It’s just unspeakably horrid to think that she was going home at the end of the week to be with her beautiful husband and her two daughters that adore her. And she literally got assassinated as she came out of her workplace. We also have to remember the other three victims. It’s just a horrid, horrid moment for Vermont. And what we should do for her is change the tone of the dialog about the DCF workers, about the hardworking state employees, and give them the support they need in really, really difficult circumstances.”
A co-worker named Kathy who didn’t give her last name summarized many of the thoughts and feelings of those attending the vigil. “We’re all trying to make sense of something that is completely senseless and we can’t wrap our brains around. I just wanted to reach out to Lara’s family and say I love you guys. I’m sorry. It’s going to take a long time for the pain to go away. And I loved her.”
While state employees have been advised that Sobel’s shooting was an isolated incident, the Agency of Administration, in conjunction with the Department of Buildings and General Services and law enforcement, has begun a review of security at state buildings.
Herring was ordered held without bail on Monday after pleading not guilty to first-degree murder. She allegedly shot Sobel as the social worker left the Department for Children and Families building. Herring then shot Sobel again while she was on the ground, police say.
Police also believe Herring shot three of her family members to death. No charges have been filed yet in those shootings.
