Friday, June 26, 2015 Dear Ms. Jarvis; It is an understatement to say that my day was ruined upon first hearing reports of the death of the albino deer that made its home in our metropark. My first thought was that it was a road kill accident, which would have been sad enough, but understandable. My thoughts then turned darker, thinking perhaps it was a criminal act by a poacher, who took the deers head as a trophy and left the remains for someone else to discover. It is however with utter shock and disbelief that I read that the deer was shot and killed by the police during your annual herd culling. I had to read, and then re-read the newspaper article to make sure I was understanding what happened. I have more than just a passing interest in this sad story, and Im taking it very personally. Last November, while alone in the fading light of an early winter evening on the nature trails, I had an encounter with the deer that I shall never forget. I spotted it some distance away, and wasnt at first sure of what I was seeing. I was able to track and approach the animal, and then realized what it really was. I literally dropped the coffee I was carrying. As a photographer with thirty years of experience, I was fortunate to have all my gear with me, and I stood just yards away from an animal of such grace and beauty that words fail to describe. I stood in full view of the deer, and as if on cue, it stopped between two trees and turned to look at me. The animal could not have posed more perfectly. I fired the shutter and recorded a photograph that ranks as rare at the very least, perhaps a once in a lifetime event. For me, it was a highly charged emotional moment that, again, words do not fully convey. I was so inspired by this event that I printed, matted, and framed, at considerable personal expense, a large format copy of my image and donated it to the Nature center at Kensington. My intention was for it to serve as an educational and inspirational tool for park visitors, and especially children. What a wonderful ambassador you had in this animal of such exquisite and exotic beauty, and I am heartbroken to learn that it will never be seen again, and an experience such as I had will never be repeated by anyone else.

As I read the newspaper account, I see the words police, sharpshooter, and unintentional. If the facts in this story are as stated, how could this officer possibly have fired a lethal weapon under such circumstances? Conditions were dismal at best, as stated, and also that the officer didnt realize it was a buck, or an albino, because he viewed his target through a screen of brush, was the point where I had to stop and re-read the words to believe what I was reading. From a military standpoint, the term sharpshooter signifies a highly trained soldier of exceptional skill, far above the average rifleman. Along with the skills involved in handling a weapon, the soldier is also trained to never, under any circumstances, fire a shot without a clear and unobstructed view of his intended target. This is not just military training; any properly licensed hunter in the woods never fires a bullet or an arrow without a positive identification of his target. It does not matter that the officer involved wasnt hunting as the article states, common sense alone would dictate to err on the side of safety, and he would decline to fire his weapon. I also find it very disturbing to say the least, that a police officer, of all people, would choose to fire his weapon at an uncertain target. I have always believed, perhaps mistakenly, that police officers have received the highest level of training in the use of firearms, and a similar level of training in when, and especially when not, to use a weapon. Now Im not so sure. Please understand that I am not a fan of, nor do I entertain all the conspiracy theories that arise for every event which are so popular these days. However, I am a big believer in the human tendency to cover your tracks when youve done something stupid, and that seems to be the case here. None of the explanations given are acceptable. If the conditions were as poor as stated, why wasnt the hunt simply canceled for the night? If expediency was the reason, then this decision was one of mismanagement as well. This is simply a case of gross misjudgement on the part of the officer involved, who was unqualified to perform the task that he was assigned. As I write this letter, I am choosing my words carefully. We have all lost something here, something unique, beautiful, rare, and irreplaceable. Our lives and experiences in the park will be poorer because of it. As Park Superintendent, I hold you, Ms. Jarvis,

personally responsible and accountable for this disaster. The animal is dead; your job from this point forward is to review your protocols; personally meet with all involved; ask for input from those who do the job; revise standing instructions; review the qualifications of the officers involved; require answers from those involved and be forthcoming with the public; it is us after all, that pays your salary and that of the police. It is your responsibility to see that something like this never happens again. In other words, manage! Respectfully yours, Gregory B. Miller