Letters to the Editor Yuma Sun Correctional Officer is the correct title (Dec 29, 2004) - In the early morning hours of Dec. 19, Correctional Officer Lisa Shay was killed in a tragic and senseless vehicle collision while on her way to work here at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Yuma. I understand that the driver of the other vehicle is under investigation by local authorities. As you can imagine, officers and other corrections professionals here are in shock and grieve at the loss of their colleague. And while we appreciate your coverage of this tragedy, the Dec. 22 Funeral Notices section refers to Lisa Shay as a "guard." Mischaracterization of our corrections officers, particularly at a time like this, only serves to frustrate a body of staff that works extremely hard, despite inadequate pay and the most challenging of working conditions, to keep the citizens of this state safe from those offenders. I find this particularly saddening because over the past three years a number of The Sun's reporters have visited this facility and observed first-hand the professional demeanor of the staff here and the many challenges that our officers face. The hostage standoff at the ASPC-Lewis in Buckeye last January gave the media and the public across the country an opportunity to take more than a cursory look at the dangers these dedicated and courageous officers face. Your future use of the correct title of "Corrections Officer" instead of "guard" will accurately depict the professionalism and the public service rendered by those that wear a badge and walk one of the most dangerous "beats" in this country, without a gun strapped to their sides. IVAN C. BARTOS Warden, ASPC-Yuma
