Yesterday a Massachusetts State Trooper was killed after his car was struck by another while he was pulled over on the side of the Mass Pike during a traffic stop.
This was big news in Boston, as it should have been, with all news stations providing extensive coverage. All stations covered the procession of Trooper Thomas Clardy as his body was transported to the state medical examiner's office in Boston.
Many Troopers and other members of law enforcement, including Boston Police and Boston Fire, lined the streets to honor Trooper Clardy as the van carrying his body drove by on its way to the state medical examiner's office. The van was also flanked with Troopers who were walking with the van in honor of the fallen officer.
More officers were lined up at the state medical examiner's office, saluting the van as it arrived to honor Trooper Clardy.
In the live television coverage of this procession, this is where one station crossed the line of human decency and respect.
A photographer from WHDH 7 News, wearing a live-u backpack, had been following the van on foot providing 7 News live images of the procession at it arrived at the medical examiners office.
Once there, the station continued to air live video of the van as it backed up to the rear of the building. When members of the medical examiner's office approached the van, the photographer moved behind the saluting officers to get a better shot. Once the rear doors of the van opened, this is where the live video should have ended. It did not.
7 News aired live video as the van doors were opened, and the Trooper Clardy's body, in a body bag, was removed from the van. The shot was quick before 7 News went on to other visuals in their coverage. they returned to live video outside of the medical examiner's office a few minutes later after the body had been taken inside.
"We cut away during a short time there out of respect for the officer... not wanting to show the removal of the body from the transport van" said anchor Adam Williams forgetting the image they had just shown.
One hopes this was only a mistake that made it on-air. However, someone must have told the photographer to move to get the shot. If not, someone in the control room had to be told to stay on that video.
Seeing a family member in a body bag is not something one should have to see, never mind having it broadcast on live television.
Trooper Clardy left behind a wife and six children, and out of respect for the Trooper and his family, this should have never happened.
Because only regularly scheduled newscasts are recorded and archived by New England One, only live 7pm coverage of WCVB and WHDH could be reviewed. WCVB did not air any video of the van at the medical examiners office, and as far as we are aware neither did any of the other stations. Images of the body have been removed from the video below.
@7News I hope you guys are happy you got "the shot" of the trooper's body being taken out of the ambulance. Disgusting actions by you.
— Tom Maloney (@tmaloney77) March 17, 2016
@7News It's pretty DISRESPECTFUL of you to show the Trooper's body arriving at the ME's office - really really disrespectful...
— Liz Feitelberg (@renegadesistah) March 16, 2016
@7News have some respect. Tell your camera man to shut it off when the van opens the door and the gurney with the body is removed!!!
— Eric Garfield (@EGarfs) March 16, 2016
Geez, @7News - is it necessary to show them taking the trooper's body out of the ambulance?
— AlisonTBoston (@AlisonTBoston) March 16, 2016
