Posted on 02/29/2020 7:03:09 AM PST by L.A.Justice
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department shared graphic photos of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and eight others, a law enforcement source familiar with the situation confirmed to CBS Los Angeles Thursday.
That source said they had not seen the images, but said they were trying to track down the origin of the photographs.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the photos were of the crash scene and the victims’ remains, though it was not immediately clear if the deputies took the photos or if they received them from somebody else. One source told the Times that the photos were shared with other officials who had nothing to do with the investigation.
On Friday, TMZ reported that the deputies who responded to the crash scene took the photos that included the victims’ remains and said one of them was a trainee deputy who tried to impress a girl at a bar a few days after the crash by showing her the photos. According to TMZ, a bartender overheard that conversation and filed an online complaint with the sheriff’s department.
“We know that the (National Transportation Safety Board) is investigating this matter, and we know that there would be no reason for a deputy or law enforcement officer at that time to take photos of the crash scene,” Scott DeFoe, a retired Los Angeles Police Department sergeant, said.
DeFoe, who is also a use of force and police procedures expert, said if the allegations are true, it’s more than just a violation of the badge, the oath of office and public trust.
“You can’t go to a homicide scene or crime scene and then take photos of people and distribute those photos, it would have to be for evidentiary purposes only,” he said. “You can’t do that, because there is criminal liability there and obviously civil liability.”
The sheriff’s department released a statement on Facebook that said, in part:
“The facts surrounding these allegations are currently under investigation, as are the effectiveness of existing policies and procedures. The Sheriff is deeply disturbed at the thought deputies could allegedly engage in such an insensitive act. A thorough investigation will be conducted by the Department, with the number one priority of protecting the dignity and privacy of the victims and their families.”
TMZ also reported that the photos were passed around by members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said, while it has no confirmed allegation of misconduct, a review of reports that firefighters also shared the images was underway. In a statement to CBSLA, the department said it will “thoroughly investigate any allegations of misconduct and take swift and appropriate action consistent with our standards and professional conduct.”
The helicopter crashed into a Calabasas hillside late last month in heavy fog, killing the retired Laker legend, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others on their way to a youth basketball game. The other victims were Christina Mauser; Payton and Sarah Chester; John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli; and pilot Ara Zobayan.
"Deputies were ordered to delete Kobe Bryant crash photos to avoid discipline, sources say"
https://ktla.com/news/deputies-were-ordered-to-delete-kobe-bryant-crash-photos-to-avoid-discipline-sources-say/
I am disappointed that some officers behaved this way...I guess they forgot to think about families of those dead people...
Many years ago, two CA Highway Patrol dispatchers leaked a picture of a dead woman online...Her family sued and CHP agreed to pay.
https://www.ocregister.com/2012/01/31/family-gets-24-million-over-grisly-crash-images/
They do it all the time, it’s only “bad” when the victim is “great”.
I wonder how many of these same deputies and firemen that passed the photos around like trading cards will file PTS claims from having to respond to the grisly scene.
years ago....police took video tape the day after at a plane crash in Detroit..flight 255. Guess they were cracking jokes as they taped victim after victim before they were removed from the scene. Last i heard, Wayne County Sheriffs claimed they had taken and destroyed all copies....none ever popped up online or anywhere else..
Truly disgusting
Those poor dead children photogged for entertainment
Fire them
Same folks who shoot your dog or you for reaching for your cell phone
JBTLs will be along to excuse em
> “The facts surrounding these allegations are currently under investigation... <
Well, that’s nice to know. The sheriff’s department will investigate itself until the media moves on to the next story.
Wouldn’t the official photos be “a matter of public record”.
Now do Epstein. Who shared the photo of him on a gurney?
Yup. Despicable as he was, those photos of his DB were bad news.
There is a show about autopsies of rich, famous deceased celebrities, where some Doc ponders their demise, whether there is controversy or not, with all sorts of information that is no one's business.
Now that’s rich! A statement made only for public consumption, only. They’ll delay until the publicity blows over and nothing will happen. These agencies have no meaningful oversight.
And “professionalism”? What a joke.
Back in the 70’s I recall the CHP had a magazine that contained photos of crash victims. My dad had a friend who was a LA deputy who brought them over from time to time. Most of the photos were pretty gruesome, I even recall seeing the results of that car that was crushed during the Sylmar quake.
I remember in particular, a photo of four teenagers who crashed their car into a utility pole and all of them were partially ejected out of the car.
No seatbelts back then.
While photos of the dead are morbid, we humans have a fascination with them. It's human nature.
Everyone who has ever rubbernecked at a traffic accident can just stop the fake outrage.
I have not seen these photos. If anyone does not want to see them, don’t look, including family.
Hiding ANYTHING is wrong. It gets even MORE WRONG when its just because someone is “famous” or “important”.
I’m ALWAYS for FULL DISCLOSURE. I can decide for myself what is appropriate or not, as you can for yourself. Don’t decide for others, its not your job to do so.
Don’t bother to “flame” me, because I won’t see it anyway and more importantly, I don’t care what you think.
There are photos of the crash scene where Buddy Holly was killed on the internet.
Any of them show the knee Kobe would have taken if he was still playing?
Man, did I get steered wrong in the job market in my youth!
/eyeroll
“Wouldn’t the official photos be “a matter of public record”.”
Thanks, I missed where the article said they’d shared official photos.
NOT too soon, thanks.
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