The Massachusetts State Police photographer who was suspended after releasing photos of what he considered a more realistic image of Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev — that of his bloody capture — than what Rolling Stone magazine published, is a big hit on Facebook.
Nearly 39,000 fans have “liked” a page created in Sgt. Sean Murphy’s honor, hoping to pressure police chiefs to save him from being fired. It’s called “Save Sgt. Sean Murphy.”
“This petition is to save Trooper Sean Murphy his job,” the Facebook posting states. It’s not known who created the page. “He did what I think most of us would have liked to do or would have done had we had the same resources.”
Posters, so far, have deep sympathy for the trooper.
“Definitely broke a regulation so I would expect a warning and reprimand,” Edward M. Sheridan wrote. “After that, they should name Sean Murphy ’Trooper of the year’ for having the courage to show this coward in his true condition.”
And another poster, Cliff Steel, wrote: “Sgt. Murphy released those [images] under hiw own accord. He knew the risk and made the point many times that he not Mass State PD was releasing the photographs. He knew the risk he did it in a direct response to [Rolling Stones] cover to show what a criminal, a killer looks like. He did it to wash the image of rock star away from that coward scum killer. … I personally agree [with] his choice so I will support.”
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• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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