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# With all due respect
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/with-all-due-respect-editor/
- Published: 2007-02-08T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T00:01:11.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Pacific Palisades, #archive-import

*By Steve Brackett Retired Santa Monica Police sergeant*

(Re: “Former Officer Charged,” Feb. 6, page 3) Thank you for a fairly balanced article regarding Evan Mason. It is appreciated that (the Daily Press) published some points from both sides. It is, however, important to note that Evan Mason is “an honorably retired police officer” from Santa Monica, not the mischaracterized “former officer” the Daily Press was provided through case documents. It is, however, typical of the long-standing conduct of “half-truths” being used against him. Mason is held to a higher standard, where the most unproven issue becomes fact.

He survived four on-duty shootings in a six-month period on a joint task force, ultimately receiving a commendation for his work. He has a BS and a master’s degree, and has earned the respect of fellow officers, supervisors and council members, as well as the retirees whose stories he sought to memorialize and publish. He was awarded the medal of courage for risking his life on the cliffs of Palisades Park to save a suicidal man, only to be the victim of a relentless chief’s ego. He and his family are fine, caring, loving people who only sought to collect and chronicle the department and its history, with the least possible light shining on themselves. Hardly one to so blatantly embezzle from his former department!

Sadly, the ego and power of (then) Chief of Police James T. Butts Jr. has become a barrier for Mr. Mason’s 37 years of memorabilia collection about the Santa Monica Police Department.

While seeking a $20,000 bail and state prison time for two outrageous felony charges, and the compelled relinquishment of a collection obtained over 37 years, (The Santa Monica Police Department) and the District Attorney’s Office have catapulted a clearly “civil matter” into criminal charges through an abuse of power and discretion.

It can only be hoped that any subsequent articles on this case will conform to the integrity displayed thus far by SMDP.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 8, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/020807.pdf?ref=smdp.com)