Story, photo put Pasco SWAT team deputy at risk

Story, photo put officer at risk

Are we really that thirsty for information that common sense completely evaporates from our conscience? The front page of the Pasco Times on Feb. 27 posts not only the name of an officer, but his picture as well. Really? Are you guys serious?

Let's review the facts here. The deputy is on the SWAT team — you know, the guys who deal with the really bad situations. The deputy is also part of the gang unit — you know, those groups of thugs that have zero appreciation for life and live for the opportunity to make a name for themselves.

There was no sensational story here; the bad guy shot at the officers first and actually shot the officer in the chest. They did as they were trained to do, and what most of us expect them to do. They fired back in retaliation for their lives.

Now, the Times feels it necessary to not only print the officer's name, but hey, let's throw in the guy's picture as well. In addition, the Sheriff's Office finds it responsible to release this information to the newspapers; maybe they need to work on protecting those they assign to these units. This is not the first time an undercover deputy's name and picture were posted in the paper. It is mind-boggling that these deputies' lives are handled in such a flip way.

Did anyone think of the circumstances? Does the officer have a family? Does this officer, who was already shot in this altercation, need his life further endangered because a reporter needed a story? Do these men and women, who already deal with a higher level of stress than most of us ever will, really need to have that increased? Would any of us like to live looking over our shoulders every second of every day? How about their families?

Give me a break, show some responsibility, and show some respect for these guys and gals.

Christopher K. Cooley, Hudson