At the end of the day, this woman should not have her face plastered all over here and FaceBook.....the pics of the men in uniform are one thing, but the devastation on her face is too private for anyone to post pics of. Let her be, and take the pics of her and her son down...please. Do you think that this Officer would want these pics of his wife everywhere? They are not going to earn you a Pulitzer, so, please, for him, his family, and his brothers and sisters in uniform, TAKE THEM DOWN!!!

Have you absolutely no heart! This was taken during her weakest moment....she just buried her husband and you take a photo!! Put yourself in her shoes...if this was your family member or friend would you want this posted! That is her child...he just lost his dad...why on earth would you think this was OK!!!
.

Kristen Dize, I understand that sharing the story of a fallen officer is something to be reported on but I agree with Wendy Thomas and Ms. Bracewell, taking pictures of Sgt. Loughran's wife during her private mourning for her husband is neither responsible journalism or morally correct! If you have a heart will you take the pictures down immediately!

Bad form indeed. One would think you have never felt the pain of loss or have no concept of true grief. What a shame. The last thing this family needs are such personal grief broadcast and published. Please think before taking such pictures and please do not consider them news........but a very private experience that does not need to be shared. This type of reporting certainly causes BelAirPatch to lose a level of respect in the community!

Very disrespectful!! Take the pictures down!! You should know better!!

I may not have been able to attend the service today but its absolutely heartbreaking to have to see my friend/coworker in such greiving pain on the internet! Have some respect and take the pics of the family down!!!

I think your intentions are good but I too don't think we need to publisize a very private moment for the family. The pictures tell a story but I believe that personal privacy supercedes that. You can retell the story of Sgt. Lougheran's funeral without tearing apart the soul of a beautiful woman and her son. Please take these pictures out. THe other pictures of the procession, honor guards, and other police officers is very moving.

Thank you for commenting, everyone.

We have changed the featured photo and removed others from the slideshow above. We understand that this is a terrible loss for Sgt. Loughran's family, the Harford County Sheriff's Department and the Harford County community.

By no means did we intend to inflict further pain upon anyone. I authorized the publication and featuring of the original photo because I felt—as it is often said—that a photo tells more of the story than words can. It was indeed a powerful image.

For that reason, we've altered the slideshow since its original publication.

Feel free to contact me with any further concerns, and thank you for reading.

Sean Welsh
Associate Regional Editor
sean.welsh@patch.com

Please take the pics down. This is wrong andf its not news. Please remove them

Ms Dize, I understand your job is to cover news and the funeral of Sgt Lochran is just that; however the way you have gone about it is disgraceful. It's one thing to post pictures of the officers, the honor guard, the helicopters, etc. It is a completely different and extremely disrespectful thing to post pictures of Lochran's widow. No one needs or for that matter wants to see this. I was there. I heard her sobs and it broke my heart. I don't want to see the sadness on her face and she doesn't deserve to have that personal moment displayed all over the internet.

I am not sure who else I need to contact regarding this, but rest assured, I will.

Kristen DeMarino

Thank you for understanding.

Still showing in the slide show when I pull them up. Please remove asap!

Lack of class, lack of heart is all I have to say. How dare someone display this? Tonya, my friend, my coworker deserves privacy at this very devastating time in her and Colin's life. To display these pictures of her grief is inhumane. An amazing police officer, son, husband, father, amazing man was ripped from this earth, but to publicize her pain, loss and hurt is unreal. Please give her the respect that she deserves in this very difficult time.

I beg you to take the pictures down. I also feel your article completely missed the essence of the honor, dignity , and dedicated service that defined Sgt. Loughran. By posting the pictures of his wife in a most private heartbreaking moment shows complete disrespect for the love this couple shared. I refuse to allow this to happen to her. TAKE THE PICTURES DOWN!!!!!!

PLEASE PLEASE TAKE THE PIC'S DOWN . VERY HEARTBREAKING.

Just disrepectful PERIOD.

I am really at a loss for words. I wonder if you would have posted the pictures if it were you or your family in such a devasted state. I think that some things should remain private. You should ask yourself how would you like to be treated if it were your spouse. Would you want to be all over the internet in your darkest moment? I think not. Theses pictures have no business here.

Thank you for removing the most heart wrenching photos, but PLEASE take down the remaining pics of the widow. It's the right thing to do.

We appreciate you removing one of the photos from the sideshow. Please find it in your heart to remove the other photos of his wife.

I don't know why you've posted that the photos were taken down, they're not. This is at least the third time in just a few months that The Patch has been grossly invasive, disrespectful, class-less, and maudlin in your coverage of "newsworthy" deaths. Obviously, neither you nor Kristen Dize appreciate how insensitive and intrusive your publication of certain photos and facebook posts (Ben Boniface, Heather Kriss) are, which leads me to believe that neither of you have suffered a tragic loss yourselves. Please remove the photos to show that you have some semblance of decency.

If you had any decency or class you would remove ALL pictures. I can't believe someone would have the audacity to even take pictures and post them.

Please remove the photos of Sgt. Laughran`s wife and child. These pictures are still heart breaking. These pictures are totally disrespectful to the family. My condolences go out to the Laughran family. I pray these photos are removed IMMEDIATELY, the family deserves respect and privacy as the mourn the loss of a loved one.

I just had a conversation with someone speaking on behalf of the family and I've removed photo No. 27 from the slideshow.

Patch, as other media outlets did as well, had permission to cover the event. I felt the image most accurately captured the impact of the story. Ultimately, as a father and husband, at the request of a spokesperson of the Loughran family, I've removed the photo, which was an incredibly powerful image.

Thank you for your understanding.

Sean Welsh
sean.welsh@patch.com

I too thank you for the photos that you removed. However, like Ms. Thomas I ask you to please remove all of the pictures of Sgt. Loughran's family!

How many more people need to ask you to do the right thing before you do it? Take down the photos! Clearly you have struck a nerve with your readers. More than likely, they will be past readers if these pictures stay up. You have to be reading these. Waste no more time before you obey the very people you need to remain relevant in Harford County.

Why is picture #24 still up? Disrespectful...NOT powerful! SMH!

Wow, such disrespect! Permission or no permission to cover an event... To take a picture of a child, at his fathers funeral... after he's been taken from him!?!. You think that it would be common sense to not include such an innocent sweet little boy! I'm sure that basic coverage of the event would have been enough, but nooooo.... The media pushing the envelope, yet again! Eeeerk, it sickens me!

Some pictures are powerful images of the tragedy. Maybe people will stop and smell the roses in life! These pictures represent a feeling of complete loss. Why should one be ashamed of this?

Thank you for removing some of the photos. All of SGT Ian's wife and son should be removed as well. Please respect her privacy. She truly deserves that.

Just do the right thing and remove the photos. If it was someone one in your family that died you would not like it either. Lay your head on your pillow tonight knowing that you did the right thing. And ask God to give this family peace. Kathy Arnold

Patch has removed the photos the family has requested to be removed.

Sean Welsh
sean.welsh@patch.com

"Annoymous" , we agree they are powerful images but they are private. Sgt Loughran's family and friends don't need an image to represent a feeling of complete loss...they are living it. Sgt. Loughran was a police officer and to some degree that part of his life was somewhat public but his family has a right to privacy!

Please remove #24 it's not necessary to show a widow in mourning.

I think Ms. Dize was trying to paint a portrait of the tragedy that was felt by all. I don't think slamming her journalism is appropriate either nor the efforts of Mr. Welsh. The public made their comments and the patch responded. Im sure no one was trying to offend anyone. It was a beautiful article, Ms Dize.

What's even sadder and more disrespectful is how Welsh keeps coming on saying theyve removed the photos the family have asked to be removed ~ which means during this devastating time already, a family member has been torn away from their other family members to discuss that "permission" when common sense, respect and privacy to begin with should have prevailed. Instead the media is bugging the family wondering if their pictures of a crying widow and little boy who will never get to play catch with his dad are ok to post all over the Internet! SAD!

This not the first time I have felt Ms. Dize is inexperienced, inappropriate and incapable of reporting the Harford County news. This article and accompanying photographs support my opinion.

Can you imagine all the powerful photos in history we'd be deprived of because they were viewed as "disrespectful"?

I am surprised at the gang-up on Patch that occurred here. Patch is here to tell a story not just with words, but photos too. I didn't see the photo in question before they were removed, but the one of Sheriff Bane handing the flag to the wife said far more than any of the words in the story...and certainly wasn't disrespectful.

My name is Matt Roth. I'm a photojournalist and I've photographed police funerals before. Image 24 is a beautiful picture and in no way is it disrespectful. You have to understand. Police funerals are highly orchestrated events & media is always invited -- and controlled. Often times we're corralled in a scrum. We keep our distance. I'm a veteran photojournalist of 10 years and I can tell you the work Patch has presented is indicative of what any news organization would publish. And as photojournalists we're expected to be the eyes and heart for the public. What some of you think isn't news is still part of a news story. A police officer died. It doesn't just end, neat and tidy, with the procession. His family is left without a husband and a father. They have a lifetime to live without him. Not showing the photos of his family's grief not only does Sgt. Loughran's legacy a disservice, but what you're asking is for news organizations to emotionally white wash tragedy.
I wasn't at the funeral, but Kristen Dize's photos show that she did her job in a very tasteful, if not conservative manner. I can only assume the outrage expressed on this thread is because you're feeling something. Empathy? Sorrow for Sgt. Loughran's family? Good. You should feel that way. You've become so protective of Ms. Loughran because of the photos. Think about it... The disrespectful way to report a funeral is to ignore the emotional impact.

BTW, Bob and Matt - it seems the photo which elicited such protest was taken down before your comments. It was far more intrusive and intimate than the one you mentioned, and it really had no place being posted when there were so many others which told the story more eloquently.

A solemn moment captured with dignity and respect, I appuald the photographer for the powerful photojournalism. The images removed were compelling reportage though the lens that made me feel the pain that the family is going through. Thank you.

It's important to honor service members who have sacrificed their lives for the greater good of others. The images not only evoked an emotion, but it provided readers with a powerful set of images that allowed us into the life of another member of our community going though a true tragedy. Many fight to say these are private moments, but the media was allowed to document the day with permission of the family. In no way shape or form did the photographer cross any unethical lines.

We must thank the family for allowing the media to be there and remember the officer for his duty. The images removed were deeply moving and a powerful part of Harford County's history. In addition, the intimate moments of grief and desperation were accurate and fair. (Continued in next comment)

I ask those upset to open your minds and hearts, these images are real, raw and should make us respect life and want to hug their loved ones. Death is a harsh reality, the world is full of hate and violence, and compelling images like those removed remind us that tragedy makes us all stronger.  

Journalism helps us to understand  these intimate heart-wrenching moments. My apologies to those who avoid such stark realities.

Thank you again to the photojournalist for your humanitarian role and for helping make a difference in others lives by sharing the subjects voices even in their darkest days.

I never comment on blogs but the picture of the mother and son in the patch were posted in bad taste. I see the picture was taken down but the patch feels it is unfortunate because the picture " captured the impact of the story" ... how sad that the family had to request it be taken off in order for the patch to do so. How sad that the patch feels it captured the impact of the story with that picture. Does anyone really need a picture of a grieving widow and how narrow minded that the patch felt that the picture captured the impact of the story. The full impact is how many lives he touched and how many our law enforcement touch every day!! simple pictures of how many came to show their respect, how many lined up in full uniform to honor him would have captured it all. The pictures of the men and women in uniform and in great numbers captured the impact of the story. Those are pictures a family would be proud of ! How sad that pictures of a grieving widow in the patches opinion capture the impact of the story. I would have covered a story of people who were impacted by this officer, how he changed someones life, etc.... Thats a story any family would be proud of and one that would have captured the full impact! perhaps even helped this family a little in their time of loss.

You know what I think the patch should remove... I think that patch should remove the comment sections.

You guys are wack jobs...

There has not been one set of media photo's I have ever seen of a funeral that did not include such a picture you guys/gals are crying about. I hope every single one of you get on MSN, Yahoo, Drudge Report, NY times, and yada yada websites and protest everytime they post the same exact type of pic when the they cover another fallen hereos funeral. Wether be soldier, police or whatever.

You guys need to get a life...
I am ashamed of my self right now for even getting on here to respond..........

Well said skeet!!! I have no problem with the pics that were posted and to all of the haters of the photos you should realize that by looking at these pics you will understand that we appreciate our fallen heros locally and nationally! GROW THE F UP!!!

By the way Kirsten KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!! YOUR PHOTOS AND JOURNALISM ARE TOP NOTCH!!!

Well it's clear that people like " skeet", and "snakeskin" have no heart. I pray that you have better things in life to do than post horrible inappropriate comments on something, and someone you will never know. Ian was a wonderful man who never said anything bad about anybody and in his honor it would be nice if you kept you comments to yourself. Didn't your mother teach you that if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all!!!

Emily,
I dont think what you just said to me was very nice. So now what?

I can do a lot but unfortunately I cannot help that you are finding joy in people's sorry. I didn't mean to offend you, I'm just very sad for a great friend that didn't deserve to go through this. She is a private person, and I need to stand up for her in her time of need, and what's right. Again sorry I don't want to start an argument, I just hope deep down you are thinking of how lucky you are to be alive, and that you still get to enjoy life. I just have tonya's best interest at heart. That's all. And she needs a lot of support right know, as from the pics you can clearly see.

I am very curious why there is such an uproar over these photos vs photos from Cpl. Charles Licato's funeral last week? Saw lots of applauds over the photographs/coverage there (which included family members) however this is somehow different? Why are there threats all over the Patch to remove these, but not on The Baltimore Sun where equally as emotional photographs were posted?
I do not mean any disrespect at all, and clearly I do not think the Patch was being disrespectful by including these photos with their story. When I saw these photos last night, they evoked a deep emotional response. I know not the pain his family is suffering, however these photos brought out extreme sadness and sympathy...something I did not feel upon hearing the initial news story. The photos had a deep impact. That's photojournalism.
I think Kristen/The Patch did a good job. I don't think that makes me heartless.

First off Emily I said nothing bad about officer loughran!! So stop twisting my comment!! I'm sure he was a fantastic officer and I'm sure his legacy will live on for many years!! I don't think the pictures were inappropriate!!! That's my point!!! S. W. makes a great point!! Read his comment!!!!

You might find this hard to believe but this isn't about you. I have wasted enough time discussing this with you. I will not be logging back on to the patch ever again. I will not comment on this ever again. The sun has the same comments. I read his comment. You have me empathy, and it's sad that you can bring people down to your level. Wish I could say tht it was nice meeting you.

I applaud Sean and the rest of the Patch.com staff for respecting the family's wishes while balancing the scales of ethical journalism/photojournalism. No one is taking pleasure or finding joy in Sgt. Loughran's passing, nor is anyone enjoying photos of Loughran's family mourning. As Sean already mentioned, there's validity to the cliche "A picture's worth a thousand words." Did any of you demanding the pictures be taken down consider that maybe a reader/viewer might see the photos, read the article, and be compelled to make a well-overdue doctor's appointment? Maybe the sorrow illustrated in one of those pictures will save a life.

Even if that's not the case, the entire body of work on this story is ethical, tasteful, and professional. I'd like to think that some of you might look back on these comments and realize your reaction may stem not from anger or offense, but rather the raw, powerful emotion the writer intended to convey.

Emily your making no sense!!! This about an officer passing!!! How and when did I make this about me??? You need to grow up and realize that there is something called freedom of speech!! Again I simply am saying that I believe the photos were not inappropriate!! I never said anything bad about the officer, never made it personal to anyone, never thought about only myself. Now that being said im sure with you being a total idiot it's good your not coming back. I guess your going to stop watching the news and everyday life too!! Anyone on here think I'm being selfish?? Or said anything to offend anyone if so let me know.

Tammy you can go too!

Guess you guys can go over to The Aegis site becue there are a couple pics of the officers wife and child over there.

No disrespect intended to anyone as everyone is entitled to their opinions, but what do you all think of the image here? http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3140316 or how about this one? http://www.traditioninaction.org/Cultural/images/A048_Kennedy_Funeral.jpg

The first link is a picture from a few years ago of then 8 year old Christian Golczynski holding back tears at his father's military funeral while being presented the flag. This image has been seen around the nation and world.

I am absolutely disgusted with my community right now. Would have thought that anyone with a sense of humanity would choose not to argue with the wishes of a grieving wife. You need to realize that we are all family, friends, or coworkers of Tonya's and are only sticking up for someone we love dearly, who does not want her most heartbreaking moment on display for everyone to "feel touched by." This is not about you. These moments are very private and she has the right to choose how she will remember them.

Snakeskin,
I get what your saying about Freedom of speech, however everyone on here has been a concerned friend or family member that's is speaking out Respectfully. There is no need for name calling "whack jobs" and "idiots" You are not respecting all of these people who are actully grieving. The point is some people are offended by the pictures and if the widow is asking for support that's exactly what she deserves. I just would hope if the tables were turned you would want your friends and family to support your decisions to not post pics of you. I don't find the pics offensive but I completely understand the views of everyone who does. It's different when you know someone therefore just respect their wishes! And don't call my friend an idiot it's really rude.

I understand your point Brittany and I have been there. Believe I understand what grieving is and I know what the pictures mean to people but I feel that the only point I was trying to get across was thought of the pictures were. There was no reason for your friend to say the things she said to me. Therefore I retaliated.

So I'm throwing a wrench into all this. Something to ponder.... If this officer did not die in the line of duty why is his funeral getting the full blown coverage including pictures?

@ Terry, his death was considered line of duty; it was within a 24 hr period of a shift.

Terry, I would direct you to this portion of the story above:
"Loughran was on duty during the funeral of his colleague, Cpl. Charles Licato, Sept. 12 when he unknowingly experienced heart attack symptoms.

Loughran, 43, died early the next morning at his Pylesville home, the sheriff's office said in a news release that afternoon. Any death within 24 hours of a shift is considered a line-of-duty death, making Loughran's the fourth in the history of the sheriff's office and the second in a week."

Friends and Family of Tonya, please suggest when she is ready that she checks out www.americanwidowproject.com. While this group is geared towards military widows they are very welcoming and it might be good for Tonya. A number of the woman are mother's of young children as well. I know some of the members of the American Widow Project (AWP) personally including the founder and they are all amazing woman who will do anything to help a fellow widow.

We should put our condolence with her. Its really an embarrassing moment for us human that we are making a photo shoot of someone's death and sorrow

http://www.campingtourist.co.uk/

This is wrong andf its not news. Please remove them. http://www.onlinedatastoragesite.com/softwares/the-3-stage-converter-may-be-the-perfect-answer-for-solitary-phase-problems.html