The Associated Press
PHOENIX (AP) - The state’s largest newspaper said its story about the disciplinary records of two police officers who were fatally shot while on duty was inappropriate.
The Arizona Republic ran a letter to readers Sept. 2 on the front of its “Valley and State” section saying it regretted that its story about reprimands against Officers Jason Wolfe and Eric White caused pain to the officers’ families and colleagues.
“The Republic shares in the community’s mourning over the loss of the two officers,” the letter said.
Wolfe, 27, and White, 30, were killed Aug. 28 in a shootout at an apartment complex. The man accused of killing both four-year veterans subsequently committed suicide.
The story Aug. 31 about the officers’ personnel records said White and Wolfe had been reprimanded in unrelated incidents in 2002 and 2003, respectively.
The story drew hundreds of phone calls and e-mails from the community and prompted city and police officials to meet with Republic editors.
The community reaction included threats against the reporter who wrote the story and his family.
Jake Jacobsen, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, a union representing 2,500 officers, said some police officers believe the letter didn’t go far enough.
“Some of the calls I am receiving say that it’s lame,” Jacobsen said.
Jacobsen said the newspaper’s account didn’t reflect the totality of the officers’ service to the city. “I think the commendations in both their files bear that out,” Jacobsen said.
Though the story’s accuracy hasn’t been questioned, the report should have included wider context about the officers, including their good works, said Ward Bushee, editor of the Republic.
The newspaper had requested the officers’ full personnel records and only received a portion of them. The Republic wasn’t given records containing the officers’ commendations, Bushee said.
The story was ill-timed and should have run after the officers’ funerals, Bushee said.
“Although we have admitted a mistake of publishing the story at this time, we in no way meant to malign the fallen officers,” Bushee said.
Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, who participated in the meeting with the newspaper’s editors, said he was grateful the Republic acknowledged that the story was inappropriate.
“I accept that, and now we have to heal the wounds together and move forward,” Gordon said. “That’s what’s important to the officers, as it is to the entire community.”
Sue Clark-Johnson, chairwoman, CEO and publisher of the Republic, issued a joint statement with Gordon after the meeting between officials and editors.
“This has been a very tragic time for our community,” the statement said. “Together we hope that the emotion of the last several days can appropriately be directed toward compassion and understanding as the community mourns the loss of the officers.”