Tucson police condemn use of photo of slain officer on punk album cover

Tucson-based punk act Awful Truth has come into some public controversy over their decision to use the photo of a recently slain police officer on their album cover. According to the Arizona Daily Star, police are condemning the use of the image and note that it is a violation of copyright to use this image in this context:

It's a violation of copyright, and we have not, and would not, give permission for this photo to be used in any way. We have communicated with the band to take the necessary steps to get the image removed from sites that display and sell it.

Awful Truth singer David Stine said the album was put out in December. Its cover was meant to be "dark humor," he said. The police responded:

What part of an officer giving his life is humorous? I ask for the community's support in recognizing this is an absolute disgrace to Officer Hite, who gave his life defending our community While they may have certain beliefs that they want to express, the venue in which they expressed it is disgusting, and I'm outraged.