THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 24, 1994 TAG: 9410200017
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
On Aug. 29, you printed a letter to the editor from Steven and Janie Lydon which addressed their inability to obtain ``the official reports, or any information at all'' to help them understand the possible circumstances which caused the death of their son by gunfire from police officers during his arrest in 1992.
As mayor of the city of Virginia Beach, I do not wish the public to perceive, incorrectly, that the city did not respond to the concerns of Mr. and Mrs. Lydon. The death of their son was tragic, and I deeply sympathize with them in their loss. Although the official documents have not been forwarded to the Lydons (the Virginia Freedom of Information Act specifically exempts reports prepared in connection with criminal investigations from mandated public dissemination), police officials have spoken on several occasions with Mr. Lydon and have conveyed the specific facts surrounding this unfortunate occurrence.
It is also essential to assure the public and the Lydons that a documented procedure does exist to ensure an independent investigation by law-enforcement officers in each instance involving a shooting by a police officer.
The commonwealth's attorney, an independently elected law-enforcement official who has no supervisory responsibility over the Police Department, responds to the scene of and investigates every shooting by a police officer. The commonwealth's attorney investigated the shooting death of Mr. Lydon's son, Robert, and determined that the officers were justified in their use of deadly force. Mr. Lydon was advised by the commonwealth's attorney of his findings. He provided a copy of his report to the city manager, who is in charge of the Police Department.
I can only imagine the grief and anguish which Mr. and Mrs. Lydon have experienced, and I wish them the very best in their search for peace with this issue; however, it is important that the citizens of our community be apprised that Mr. and Mrs. Lydon have not been ignored in their requests for the facts in this case.
MEYERA E. OBERNDORF, mayor
Virginia Beach, Oct. 7, 1994 by CNB