FOP to fight release of slain officer’s body-cam footage

The Fraternal Order of Police is vowing to fight a Charlotte TV news station’s request for the release of Mooresville K9 Officer Jordan Sheldon’s body-cam footage from the night he was shot and killed.

“It serves no purpose except to hurt Officer Sheldon’s family and his law-enforcement family,” said Rodney James, president of the FOP, Iredell County Lodge No. 10. “There’s absolutely no value in releasing it.”

WBTV Reporter Nick Ochsner filed a petition in Iredell County Superior Court for the release of the footage on Tuesday, May 7, three days after Sheldon was murdered during a routine traffic stop on N.C. 150. The gunman fled the scene, shooting and killing himself inside his apartment.

WBTV’s Nick Ochsner/Facebook

In an email to the Scoop this week, Ochsner said he filed the petition because he and a number of his viewers want to know more about what led to the shooting. “To date, we’ve gotten very little information about that,” he said. “As a journalist, it’s my job to ask questions and seek answers, even when they might be tough.”

Ochsner’s petition requests Sheldon’s body camera footage of the traffic stop and “any other video from officers who responded to the scene during or after the shooting.”

Requests for police body-cam videos have been on the rise recently – but usually when the footage involves police-officer shootings of citizens. In this case, the police officer is the victim.

James said he hasn’t taken issue with footage being released when citizens are victims of officer shootings. “But in this particular case, what’s not to trust about the police?” he asked. “The only thing anyone is going to gain by the release of this footage is TV ratings.”

Ochsner said having access to the videos “will also allow me to better explain to our audience about the dangers law enforcement officers face responding to every call and, in this case, the brave actions Ofc. Sheldon took that, unfortunately, cost him his life.”

Said James: “Our officer was murdered by being shot to death, and the suspect didn’t even have the guts to stand up and be held accountable for it. Why do we need a video of that?”

While James applauds the media for limiting the shooter’s appearance on TV, he questions the rationale behind a news station requesting to watch – and possibly release to the public – a cop being gunned-down on the side of the road. “What good can possibly come of that?” he asked. “This would be such a hardship on a family that has already been through so much.”

Ochsner said requesting the footage isn’t the same as WBTV deciding to air it – and a judge, he said, may ultimately decide not to release the body-cam videos. “What I’m asking for through this petition is for a judge to look at the video and determine what, if any, part of the video would be prudent to release,” he said. “I work at a TV station committed to responsibly and compassionately sharing information with our viewers. While I certainly feel it prudent to request the video, there is no guarantee that we play some or all of the video if it’s released.

“This is a process that the legislature intended when they implemented the law and one that allows a judge to use their discretion in determining what, if any, video from situations like these should be released,” he added.

James said he believes a judge will deny the release.

My take…

I have struggled with this story since receiving a copy of Ochsner’s filing even before Officer Jordan Sheldon’s funeral.

Do I write about this and risk upsetting the family, especially before a judge has even decided whether the footage might be released? Can I support press/public-access to body-cam footage in officer shootings of citizens while not supporting the release of this video? If so, how do I rectify that in my own heart and mind?

Let me be clear: I see absolutely no evidence-value in the footage being released. I was initially outraged that anyone would even ask for it. I don’t at all see the value in potentially exposing the public or a grieving family to the brutal, cold-blooded murder of a much-loved human being and cop just to get more of a story that has apparently already undergone an open-and-shut SBI investigation.

Perhaps, I reasoned, the request is being made due to a distrust of police. Some may say they don’t trust the police or its investigations. But I’d argue that just as many people – if not more – distrust the news media.

I understand the value of access to body-cam footage. The cameras are taxpayer-funded, which means the public – once investigations are over – should have reasonable access to what they capture. We’re all in agreement – even our FOP president – that videos of officers shooting citizens should be released once investigations are complete to satisfy the public’s need to know if an officer was in the wrong.

And perhaps I don’t have a justifiable reason for feeling so put-off that a journalist would ask for this particular footage. But I keep coming back to one simple thought: just because we can get the videos doesn’t always mean we should.

Those words were graciously provided to me by one of many friends – both press-minded and police-minded – that I reached out to this week to help me wrap my brain around what exactly was bothering me so badly about this request. Perhaps if the request included only footage leading up to the shooting – ending before shots were fired – I could understand it better.

Is the desire to watch a cop’s own footage of him being gunned down in the line of duty really about finding out what led to the shooting? If so, I can come up with several alternative ways to easily find out the answer to that, like this one: ask a cop. Employ some good, old-fashioned journalism skills. Cultivate trusting relationships with credible sources. Work with them so they know you and trust that you won’t break your neck to report the things they tell you but instead will use those things to form a story that is truthful and accurate and will be helpful and not harmful – to either an investigation or a grieving family.

There’s a way to be the media and human. Asking for a video of a cop being murdered just to satiate curiosity isn’t one of them.

At least not for me.

Not for you, either? The hearing on Ochsner’s petition is scheduled for Monday, May 20, at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 3 of the Iredell County Hall of Justice, 226 Stockton Street, Statesville.

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11 thoughts on “FOP to fight release of slain officer’s body-cam footage

  1. This ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT NEED TO BE RELEASED!!!!!! There is nothing good that will come from this!!!! Please just let these family members and fellow police officers grieve and try to pick of the pieces of their broken hearts !!!!! Back The Blue!!!💙🚓💙

  2. You have no rights to the Dash Cam, please let Officer and his family and Police family have peace.

  3. NO NO NO! You are seriously mistaken sir, we need to know all we need to know, this officer lost his life at the hands of a criminal. Now I know why I can’t stand and won’t watch the news! You and those that are being so nosey, how would you feel if you had your murdered family members video blasted all over the the tv screen?

  4. This is WRONG nobody wants to see this footage aired on TV ! How cruel and heartless is this reporter? Obviously he has no heart or morals! Officer Sheldon’s family and friends do not need to be put through this ! I ask as a citizen of Iredell County that the request be withdrawn….IF it’s going to court I ask the Judge to DENY the news media this footage! It’s heartless 💔.

  5. This is absolutely ridiculous. There is no need whatsoever for the press, media or anyone else to view this video. Honor this hero and let him Rest In Peace. Leave the family of officer Sheldon and his police family alone to grieve and not have to worry about someone wanting to “know the truth”.
    Rest easy Officer Sheldon and thank you for your service!

  6. Wth! There is no reason for this. Officer Sheldon family does not need to see this. They been through enough. As well as our community. Why do you need it public. He was killed in the line of duty. And the man who shot and killed officer Sheldon killed himself. So why??

  7. Oschner should be fires immediately for asking such an incredibly stupid thing. This is beyond insensitive and he should never work in news reporting ever again.

  8. The family of office Shelton has suffered enough and friends , family,the town of Mooresville,do leave this alone,let people greiveShowing footage of officer Shelton being shot will only satisfy the need medias ratings and people who are just plain nosey.
    Leave it alone ,please.

  9. I Don’t Think That Officer Sheldons last dying moments should be viewed by Anyone Public . This is a Personal Tragedy and The Shooter is Dead . There is No Need for the Media To Have access because Theis case has Already been Closed. There is No On-Going investigation . This is So Disrespectful 😢😢🙏🙏🙏🙏

  10. Showing the body can isn’t going to accomplish anything but hurt! Especially for Officer Sheldons family! The Mooresville Police department has already had to view this I’m sure why put them through that again ! I know as a member of this community,I DON’T want to see it! I’ve cried everyday since this senseless tragedy happened ! Please let Our Officer Rest In Peace! As a member of this community I will stand with the police department and fight for this not to be made public !

  11. Many times seeing a video will answer questions. However; in this case, the only question that would be answered is how low will the media stoop to get their ratings? The Iredell County community, the Police Departments, the First Responders and above all the family of Officer Sheldon will gain nothing but additional pain if this released. Leave it be WBTV – we don’t want YOUR opinion of what occurred. Let the family begin to heal. Let Officer Sheldon Rest In Peace. He’s sacrificed enough!

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About Author

Hi! I’m Jaime

I was a newspaper reporter in Mooresville, NC for a decade and covered local government issues from 2003 to 2006.

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