Posted on Tuesday, 14th April 2009 by Patrick Dorwin
What was WISN Channel 12 thinking yesterday when they ran a story, with video, of one of their reporters, Colleen Henry, blindsiding the wife of officer Vidal Colon after they were specifically told that they family did not want to speak with the media at this time? Channel 12 walked up to the officers home with cameras rolling, and showed the surprised wife of officer Colon… Shameful! Why did Channel 12 violate the officer and his families request? Trying to play “got-ya” with a hero? I can’t find this video on their website, I hope they realize how badly they bungled that attempted blindside and pulled it from their site
Both Channel 12 and Fox6 are taking an accusatory attitude, seeming to blame the officer for not wearing body armor, this is an option that is left up to the individual officer, and is not the cause of his being shot. The reason he got shot was because of a criminal justice system that can’t keep a man that had already tried to kill police officers, behind bars.
If you would like to watch a respectful story, including a great interview with the officer’s brother, Sgt. Roberto Colon, visit WTMJ TV’s website and click the blue video link, Channels 6 & 12 could learn a little something about journalistic integrity by following ‘TMJ’s lead.
Note: This is not just me noticing this reporting bias, others have been reaching out for a place to voice their displeasure. I know we have a strong readership within MPD, if you would like to voice your opinions, feel safe to do so anonymously.
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13 Responses to “Media coverage of wounded MPD officer — Shameful”
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April 14th, 2009 at 11:02 am
These media people are shameless.
April 14th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Today was also the first day the Journal Sentinel has a story about the shooting on the front page of the second section. Other stories were on the second and third pages, as if it is an every day thing that a police officer in the City of Milwaukee, or any place in the State gets shot, or shot at for that matter. The media doesn’t really get it sometimes. Channel 12 should remember back several years when one of their reporters and camera man were caught in the middle of the Oswald shoot out, I guess they forgot. I don’t remember any follow up stories at that time where camera’s went up to anybody’s door for an interview.
As to whether body armor preventing an injury in this incident would have made a difference, it is hard to say. The newspaper reports three wounds to the abdomen and leg. Body armor does not normally cover the legs, and some of the lower abdomen is also exposed. However, the media should not be questioning whether or not the officer was wearing body armor or not, but simply reporting the story of a convicted criminal’s alleged activity that was initially reported to the police. The fact that this convicted criminal was carrying a loaded firearm, fled from police officers doing their job by investigating a call for service. Finally the poor choice the convicted criminal made by firing a loaded firearm at another human being, that just so happened to be a police officer doing his job investigating possible incidents of crime and protecting his fellow citizens and officers.
This should be done with a bias that is against the abnormal behavior of firing a loaded firearm at another human being, let alone a police officer under unjust circumstances.
April 14th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
I hear the officer didn’t have a helmet on and he wasn’t wearing steel toed boots either.
Why would a Cop need body armor. I mean we’ve already made it illegal for felons to possess guns, so what’s the big deal.
April 14th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I happenned to see the interview with Sgt Colon also. I thought it was a terrific interview! I usually find myself very angry at the media coverage concerning anything to do with a police officer so I was actually very surprised to see a positive story.
So thankful that Easter weekend was one that the good guys came out on top!
April 14th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
he is home he is safe he is healing. he is my dear friend and i am happy he is home. 6 and 12 can (if i may steal ald donovan’s line) “go to hell” leave the poor family alone. he has 4 children and they do not need anymore stress and drama at their HOME….thank you for letting me vent
April 14th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
I’ve never liked Colleen Henry because she uses this tactic. I saw her using it in the early 90s and have never respected her since. On Saturday I walked past her in the store, and really I had to pretend she wasn’t there. She’s despicable.
April 14th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
I also heard that the media is investigating why the officer was not wearing safety glasses while operating his issued pistol, and how he alighted from his moving squad car, before it came to a complete stop, to chase the armed criminal. Clear violations of department rules…
Colleen Henry is a witch on wheels.
Does anyone see the sheer bravery involved in knowingly chasing a criminal armed with a firearm, because it is your DUTY? Vest or no vest, this copper knew the dangers involved and did what the public expects of him. Good on him!
I wish our command staff would show 1/10th the guts that this copper has in their day to day decision making.
April 15th, 2009 at 6:03 am
Thanks for the update mke t.
Looks like Ch. 12 didn’t want the paper to be the first ones to slam the cops with a Gena Barton story telling us what a good man that “dirtbag,” as Sgt. Roberto Colon called him, really is.
April 15th, 2009 at 8:46 am
“Media coverage of wounded MPD officer — Shameful”
Or more simply put:
Media coverage — Shameful
I’m glad the officer is healing. I also hope he gets past the psychological aspect of this quickly.
April 15th, 2009 at 10:50 am
I hope everyone reading this blog is sending a phone call or email to channel 12 letting them know what you think of their news coverage. I also hope everyone lets them know they will no longer be viewing their newscast.
April 15th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
If anyone knows of body armor that covers the 1 shot to the hip & 2 to the legs that Officer Colon received, please let me know so I can buy it for my husband-his vest only covers to the navel. While wearing a vest should be a no brainer, in this case it wouldn’t have made a difference. (I’ve told my husband if he’s ever shot NOT wearing his, I’ll stand over his hospital bed and NAG him till he’s out of it-and if he dies, I’ll find a medium to nag his eternity-dark humor,but it’s a spousal coping mechanism)He just smiles, says I know you will & reassures me that he always wears his vest.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Thankfully Vidal is doing well and recovering as good as could be expected. His brother Sgt. Colon aswell as every officer should be outraged at wisn channel 12 for not respecting the Colon Family’s wishes to not be interviewed at this time. And to have a reporter show up at the front door of there home, Vidals wife handled the situation very well. The fact that Vidal was not wearing a vest and still chased a man with a gun speaks even more about him and his character, a true COP!!
April 16th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Suspect in the shooting of Milwaukee Police Officer Vidal Colon Charged
I call on Vidal’s fellow officers to pack the courtroom each and every time Louis M. Domenech has an appearance. This asshole has EIGHT previous State felony convictions and at least one federal weapons conviction. Time for society to hand Louis his lifetime pass to the Supermax of our choice.