Sen. Malloy presented with 2009 Katie’s Hero Award

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. – The parents of murder victim Katie Sepich were joined by John Walsh from America’s Most Wanted in presenting Senator Gerald Malloy with the Katie’s Hero Award. The Katie’s Hero Award is an honor bestowed by through the Sepich’s non-profit advocacy group DNA Saves on individuals for leadership in solving and preventing crime by supporting legislation to expand the use of forensic DNA technology. According to the certificate of award, Sen. Malloy was selected for his work on introducing and enacting legislation to require DNA upon felony arrest in South Carolina, to ensure law enforcement is not unwittingly releasing repeat offenders back into the community. 

Jayann Sepich, co-founder and president of DNA Saves, introduced the award and 2009 recipients at a Forensic DNA Luncheon event held concurrently during the annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislators, held this year in Philadelphia. 

In presenting the award, Ms. Sepich said, “The enactment of this legislation will have a profound and lasting impact on public safety in South Carolina.  Senator Malloy’s leadership on this issue will result in getting many rapists and other violent criminals off the streets, and will prevent additional South Carolina residents from being needlessly victimized.” 

The keynote speaker at the luncheon was John Walsh, host of America’s Most Wanted and co-founder of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Mr. Walsh stated, “Arrestee DNA legislation is needed in every state to make our communities safer places to live.”

DNA Saves is a 501©(4) non-profit association organized to educate policy makers and the public about the value of forensic DNA. The association was formed by Jayann and Dave Sepich in late 2008, marking the five year anniversary of the senseless murder of their daughter, Katie. DNA Saves is committed to working with every state to pass laws allowing DNA to be taken upon arrest, and to provide meaningful funding for DNA programs.

Had a DNA sample been taken from Katie’s murderer, Gabriel Avilla, upon arrest for an unrelated crime, the Sepich family would have discovered who killed their daughter only three months after her death. Instead, Avilla remained free to victimize more unsuspecting daughters, while the Sepich family waited for answers. The Sepich’s hope that by advocating for better DNA testing laws they can prevent another mother and father from asking “why?”