Olympian photographer cited at fire scene

Police report to be available Monday

By Rolf Boone | The Olympian • Published June 08, 2008

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LACEY – Olympian photographer Tony Overman was arrested Friday while taking photos at the scene of a duplex fire in Lacey.

Overman, 45, was arrested on suspicion of simple assault of a Lacey police detective, a misdemeanor, and will be arraigned in district court June 19, Lacey police spokesman John Suessman said.

Overman said that while he was taking photos, an officer put up a police-tape boundary behind him. Overman said that when Lacey detective David Miller told him to move outside the boundary, he complied.

He said that as he walked away, he overheard the detective tell another officer that Overman should be arrested immediately if he crossed the police line.

Overman said he turned around and approached the detective.

"I just wanted to understand why he was singling me out when I had complied with everything he asked me to do," Overman said Saturday.

"I wasn't angry," he added. "I just don't like seeing the media singled out and picked on."

Overman said that the two walked toward each other and that the detective screamed at him.

They got so close that their noses briefly touched, Overman said; he says he was shoved backward and arrested.

Overman was detained, cited and released, Suessman said. Overman said he was handcuffed and spent about 30 minutes in the back of a patrol car.

Miller, a 14-year Lacey police veteran, was not available for comment Saturday, Suessman said, but is working on a police report that will be available Monday. Lacey police also plan to gather statements from witnesses, he said.

A Lacey police commander said Friday that the department will do an internal investigation of the incident.

Olympian Publisher John Winn Miller said Saturday that the newspaper will fight the charges.

Fight planned

"This is a very disturbing incident where a very experienced photographer who knows his limits was apparently accosted by an overly aggressive officer," he said. "It was an uncalled-for reaction and interferes with our ability to cover the news in a lawful fashion, and we intend to fight it in court."

Suessman said the Lacey Police Department values its relationship with The Olympian.

"We certainly don't want this incident to get in the way of our positive relationship, not only with Tony (Overman) but with the other staff at The Olympian as well," he said.

Allied Daily Newspapers Executive Director Rowland Thompson, who has been involved with the trade group for about 20 years, said it is rare for a member of the news media to be arrested at the scene of a crime or fire.

"It is unusual in the extreme," he said. "I hope calmer heads prevail."

Suessman couldn't say whether the charges against Overman will be dropped. That's a decision for the Lacey city attorney, he said.

Overman has worked at The Olympian for 11 years. He is a two-time regional photographer of the year and the immediate past president of the National Press Photographers Association.

Overman said he has had a good relationship with Lacey police.

"My number one rule is never get in anyone's way," he said.

Overman has filed a complaint with Lacey police about the arrest and planned to see a doctor Saturday; he said his right hand and arm were injured during the arrest.

"There has to be accountability about why this happened and who caused it," he said.

Rolf Boone is a reporter for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5403 or rboone@theolympian.com.