Bouchard remembered

    “Janet went well above and beyond the call of a victim witness advocate,” stated Arnie Gahagan, retired Maine State Trooper who currently works with the Maine Victim Witness Advocates Association, with the Caribou District Attorney’s office.

    Maine State Trooper Adam Stoutamyer, left, presents a donation  to Arnold Gahagan(representing the Maine Victims’ Witness Advocacy Program), in support of a dedication ceremony held at the Caribou Court House  in memory of Janet Bouchard,a victim’s witness advocate.

    Gahagan was speaking in regards to Janet Bouchard of Caribou and Madawaska Lake, who died unexpectedly May 14, 2009. This spring family, friends and co-workers of Bouchard gathered for a tree dedication ceremony in front of the Caribou Court House in her honor.
    Bouchard, who served in the victim’s witness advocate role through the District Attorney’s office for nearly 22 years, was remembered as a ‘real task master,’ by Gahagan, “Janet ran a tight ship in this office and she was so good — so good that I didn’t even realize ‘I’ was actually working for her,” (instead of the other way around).” We had a lot of fun traveling to meetings in Bangor, with other advocates, where I would find myself carrying all the luggage and of course, going shopping. She was a very special person and we couldn’t have run things without her.”
    “Janet was extremely gracious, non-judgmental and all encompassing,” said Rebecca Miller, a victim’s witness advocate who works in Southern Aroostook.

    Law enforcement officials, co-workers, family members and other friends of the late Janet Bouchard, a Victim’s Witness Advocate were present during a tree-planting ceremony held in her honor on the lawn of the Caribou Court House. Following the tree dedication, a reception was held upstairs in the courthouse, where guests were able to peruse the newly designated Victim’s Witness Advocate’s room that bears Bouchard’s name.

     In Bouchard’s memory, a tree was planted on the courthouse lawn nearby a large granite rock which bears her name and the years she dedicated to her work. The emotional ceremony saw co-workers, family and friends, wiping at tears but at the same time smiling when it was noted that the tree that was being placed at the courthouse would continuously remind them of her presence; also how very fitting that particular tree (Flowering Crab) was and how Janet was more than likely laughing with them in appreciation of their choice.
    Inside the courthouse a victim’s witness advocate room has been created in Bouchard’s memory as well, now known as ‘Janet’s Room.’ Until the new room was completed, there was no actual designated location for individuals to use prior to or following a court appearance. Janet’s Room is a comfortable area and features a hand-made, wooden high-back bench made by State Trooper Adam Stoutamyer, commissioned by the state-wide Maine State Troopers Association and the Witness Advocate Association. Accenting the bench is a photo of Bouchard.
    Following the ceremony guests attended an informal reception during which Bouchard was once again remembered through shared memories and stories.   
    Known as a wonderful woman and role model, who stood up for others, those that knew Bouchard best all agreed Janet gave 150 percent to her work and expected nothing less from others.
    “She could always calm individuals down, she just had that effect on people,” said Gahagan, “we sure miss her around here.”