Anthony
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A Massachusetts State Police tactical photographer who released photos of the Boston Marathon bombing suspect bloodied and with a sniper rifle's laser located on his forehead during the manhunt in April has returned to patrol duty.
Sgt. Sean Murphy has been assigned to the police barracks in Athol, Mass., State Police spokesman David Procopio said Thursday. He will be working a shift between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., however that will most likely change because of his seniority when new shifts open up in the coming weeks, the spokesman said.
"This is not a demotion or discipline," Procopio wrote in an email. "He is under investigation for possibly violating departmental policy and regulations by releasing departmental material obtained in his media relations positions without authorization. Therefore, for the integrity of the investigation, he was removed from the unit."
"He is still a sergeant, and his pay and benefits are unaffected," Procopio wrote.
Murphy, a 25-year law enforcement veteran and State Police photographer said he decided to release the pictures of the manhunt that ultimately snared Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to Boston Magazine in July after a Rolling Stone magazine cover story featured a photo that some people felt glamorized the suspect. Boston Magazine published about a dozen photos from the manhunt on its website.
Procopio said there is an ongoing investigation into whether Murphy violated any department regulations or policy.
"It should be noted that this is not the result of any findings of this internal investigation," he wrote.
Susannah Whipps Lee, a resident in Athol, placed a dozen a lawn signs that read "Welcome to Athol".
"I thought it was important to welcome him to our community," Lee said. "There is always room in our town for someone who believes in doing the right thing, even though there may be consequences."
Other people wrote their support on Murphy's return to duty on a Facebook page that is dedicated to the officer.
"I applaud Sgt. Murphy for doing what he felt was the right thing to do in releasing the photos. I don't know what the rules and procedures of the Massachusetts State Police are, but I hope the powers that be show some compassion," Lee said.
Sgt. Sean Murphy has been assigned to the police barracks in Athol, Mass., State Police spokesman David Procopio said Thursday. He will be working a shift between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., however that will most likely change because of his seniority when new shifts open up in the coming weeks, the spokesman said.
"This is not a demotion or discipline," Procopio wrote in an email. "He is under investigation for possibly violating departmental policy and regulations by releasing departmental material obtained in his media relations positions without authorization. Therefore, for the integrity of the investigation, he was removed from the unit."
"He is still a sergeant, and his pay and benefits are unaffected," Procopio wrote.
Murphy, a 25-year law enforcement veteran and State Police photographer said he decided to release the pictures of the manhunt that ultimately snared Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to Boston Magazine in July after a Rolling Stone magazine cover story featured a photo that some people felt glamorized the suspect. Boston Magazine published about a dozen photos from the manhunt on its website.
Procopio said there is an ongoing investigation into whether Murphy violated any department regulations or policy.
"It should be noted that this is not the result of any findings of this internal investigation," he wrote.
Susannah Whipps Lee, a resident in Athol, placed a dozen a lawn signs that read "Welcome to Athol".
"I thought it was important to welcome him to our community," Lee said. "There is always room in our town for someone who believes in doing the right thing, even though there may be consequences."
Other people wrote their support on Murphy's return to duty on a Facebook page that is dedicated to the officer.
"I applaud Sgt. Murphy for doing what he felt was the right thing to do in releasing the photos. I don't know what the rules and procedures of the Massachusetts State Police are, but I hope the powers that be show some compassion," Lee said.
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