Lt. J. Paul Vance is described as ‘composed yet compassionate’ in handling media inquiries after the unthinkable tragedy in Newtown, Conn.
...Last Friday, Lt. J. Paul Vance joined this group after a lone gunman entered Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut and killed 20 children and six adults. For 15 years, Vance has led the public information office for the Connecticut State Police. His tireless work in the days after the shooting has won him praise from journalists, law enforcement officials, and PR practitioners.
Vance “has been doing a heroic job under terrible circumstances,” said Gil Rudawski, the crisis communication chief at GroundFloor Media in Denver. “He's running on adrenaline now, but exhaustion will set in soon.” ...
Unintended PR fail I'm sure as their Twitter feed expressed sympathy appropriately. A subsequent statement got it better but another crisis PR lesson for all.