Crime & Safety
Chief on Cameron Vennard: 'Primary Obligation Is to Family of Deceased'
Kirkwood Police Chief Jack Plummer explains the department's decision about when to release the name of Cameron Vennard after concerns from the media.
Kirkwood Police Chief Jack Plummer sent the following letter to media outlets after the death of Cameron Vennard on May 30. The letter explains why the Kirkwood Police Department decided not to release Vennard's name the .
The 14 year old teenager who was struck and killed by an Amtrak train while walking on the railroad tracks yesterday afternoon has been identified as Cameron Herrin Vennard. He resided with family in Oakland Missouri.
I have received a couple of inquiries from the media who felt that we should have released the young man’s name yesterday afternoon. I understand and respect the desire of the media to report information as soon as possible.
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However, the police department’s primary obligation is first and foremost to the family of the deceased. We will continue to cooperate with the media but only after we have met our primary obligation to the family.
--Chief Jack Plummer
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