Ky. Medic in Trouble Over Victim Photos

Mar. 2--CLINTON, Ky. -- John Snow could lose his paramedic certification and his job with the Clinton-Hickman County Ambulance Service for alleged unethical behavior involving pictures he posted on the Internet of people injured and killed in accidents in Hickman County.

Snow on Wednesday told The Paducah Sun that he didn't post any photos of people injured or hurt in Hickman County, except for one photo of a co-worker who injured a finger.

On Thursday, he acknowledged that he posted photos of at least three local accident victims, including a close-up of a head injury. That person died after being struck by a falling tree.

He said the other photos were the victims of a motorcycle accident and a gunshot wound. Snow said that he deleted his web postings last month.

Letch Day, director of field operations for the Kentucky Board of Emergency Management Services, said someone who viewed Snow's Internet postings contacted the board last month, raising questions about privacy rights.

"We were made aware of the site, we viewed the site and found enough evidence that a formal complaint was filed by our office," Day said. He said he could not discuss details of preliminary findings until the investigation is completed.

He said that although Snow has removed his Web site, his investigator has a copy of at least some of the information that was posted on it.

If the investigator determines that Snow was unethical, Day said a hearing would be held by the attorney general's office to revoke Snow's EMS certification.

Snow, meanwhile, said that when he told the Sun on Wednesday that he didn't post any local photos, he was referring to a Web site that he maintained on MySpace.com. He said the photos were on a Web site that he maintained on Angelfire.

He also acknowledged that he took photos while on duty, using his cell phone camera, also contrary to his comments to the Sun on Wednesday.

Asked if he was misleading in saying no photos were posted, Snow said, "You are right, and I agree with you." He said that none of the photos were taken while anyone was under his active care.

On Thursday, the Sun received several calls from Hickman County residents who disputed Snow's claims that he didn't post any local pictures. One of the calls was from a relative of one of the victims, who declined to be quoted for this story.

Paula Boaz, director of the ambulance service, apologized Thursday for her comments to the Sun on Wednesday in which she said Snow had been cleared of any wrongdoing by state agencies. She said she didn't know until told by the Sun that Snow was being investigated for unethical behavior.

"I just found out today (Thursday) about the investigation," Boaz said. "The last time I talked with them, they indicated nothing would happen unless someone with one of the victims' families pursued it."

She added that Snow will continue working while the investigation is under way. She said his only discipline so far has been a warning not to post any more pictures or information about his work with the ambulance service. Snow has worked for the ambulance service for 10 years.

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