When tragedy hits a police officer, the thin blue line forms a circle.

Earlier this week, police issued a press release on a tragic incident in which the ex-boyfriend of an officer allegedly broke into the ex's home, assaulted her and then, after she escaped with her children, fatally shot himself.

The crime occurred Wednesday and was reported Thursday in The Tribune. But some vital information was left out -- namely, the identity of the alleged assailant.

That's because police wouldn't release that information, nor the name of the victim or the location of the attack.

While the desire to protect the victim in a tragic circumstance, particularly when it's a fellow officer, is understandable, the silent treatment is not allowed under GRAMA.

"We wouldn't name an exact address of the victim or her name anyway," explains Tribune reporter Melinda Rogers, "but we should be able to get it."

And the Trib would report the name of the assailant -- that's clearly a matter of public record and should be.

Sheriff's spokesman Lt. Paul Jaroscak told Rogers he wouldn't release the info because the victim is a police officer.

Below is the GRAMA request Rogers filed Friday.

--dh

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