It sounds like the police union there is self-righteous and petty. If they have a serious beef with this lieutenant, silly character attacks is not the mature, productive path to take.

Most police departments use progressive discipline. This is a very minor violation whether he's a lietenant or a patrol officer. As mentioned before this occurred months ago and he was already disciplined. It's over. By bringing it out to the media is just plain embarassing for everyone involved. Those officers should be ashamed of themselves. And for everyone that thinks he deserves to lose his job over this, please! Get a life. It's not going to happen.

Lt Eckhardt - you have obviously risen to a high enough position in the PD to know the difference between "acceptable" and "unacceptable" behavior. You were stupid and that one act can bring down your career. Live with it. You would have disciplined any underling who (mis) used the PD email system to do the same thing. Live with it. I don't care if you/your family are fine, upstanding, church going True Blue Oodies.. you have been caught in the VERY act of violating Company (PD) policy. Live with it.

3jsmomma -that's the point most of us have been making - hope the family is ok through all this.

I know the Eckhardts personally~ They are awesome friends, and good people. Its too bad that this had to happen, and dont think for one minute that the people "snitchin" on Larry haven't done the same exact thing!! WE ARE ALL GROWN UPS!!!! ACT LIKE IT

His own officers are doing this? As a retired police officer I am embarrassed. What happened to backing each other up? We've ALL done this. And anyone who says they've never violated policy is lieing. Some jokes are tasteless but funny nonetheless. Get over it. Now on the other hand I would hate to see these officers condemned for whistle blowing too. Can't we just all get along?

Poor guy. We all make poor judgement calls. We are all human even the police. If he is sorry give him a second chance!!!

I keep wondering why the police officers union apparently has it in for this guy. Their press release stated there were issues of excessive force and other infractions besides the email (being discussed here). As in a court of law, Lt. Eckhart has 'opened the door' concerning his service record, so now may be the time to put this whole thing to rest by opening up his file to see if in fact there have been prior complaints filed against him from the public or his subordinates. Freedom and Ribeye, there are folks out there who live to 'pounce' on things of this nature in the name of 'sensitivity, or 'political correctness', or 'discrimination'. Lawsuits are easily filed and are tailor-made for those who feel it is their God given duty to be the PC police of us all; unfortunately, it can be very expensive to defend these suits and settlements often result - and in the case of a public entity, it is tax dollars that are being spent.

Political correctness and snobery run amuck. Anyone that is TRULEY offended by what he did I feel sorry for because you really need to get a life.

Just another case of some people just being too sensitive, crap you see more than what he sent on TV ads!