The article, The Fallen Servant, written by Harry J. Reed, illustrates what happens when a hero is not a hero. In 1982, Norman E. Creger, a 17-year veteran of the Jackson (MI) Fire Department died during a furniture warehouse fire. Forty-five days later, The Sunday Citizen Patriot newspaper who devoted most of page one to the fire incident, revealed that Creger was legally drunk at the time of his death. After the publication of the autopsy story, the newspaper received many complaints from the public. Many readers were furious that the article spoke ill of the dead. Without a doubt, this particular story demonstrates examples of journalistic ethical dilemmas.

The ethical dilemmas were the mentionning of him being drunk now that he is dead. I would have handled the story in a different manner. I would have released an article to mention the autopsy. Then, I would have a follow-up with the results. There would probably have been less anger towards the issue. In addition, the readers would be able to digest the handful information. Nevertheless, the article was necessary because it was honest and true. If it were not reported, the whole story would not maintain journalistic integrity. The public had every right to know the truth behind the tragic incident.