Patrolman's death deserved coverage

To the editor:

National Police Week is May 14-20. I would like to take this time to honor the memory of Cpl. John Anthony "Jay" Sampietro Jr., who died in the line of duty on Aug. 17, 2005, while reconstructing a fatal accident near Springfield, Mo.

I had the pleasure of meeting Jay when I participated in the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Community Alliance Program in Poplar Bluff, Mo. What intrigued me most about this young officer was his sense of humor, his friendliness and his childlike zest for life. He was honest and fair and always had a kind word for everyone. Somehow, he had escaped the grips of cynicism that consumes so many in this line of work. Meeting him was like meeting a longtime friend.

Jay touched the lives of many, and his death hurts. But what hurts more is that Jay's death wasn't even covered by the Southeast Missourian. Even though Jay worked for this part of the state for 11 years and had just transferred to Troop D two years prior, his death wasn't considered newsworthy. How devastating that must have been for the officers of Troop E, particularly those serving out of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department. In my opinion, failure to cover this ultimate sacrifice is ultimate disrespect.

LORIE PEATS, Jackson