The state police union released a statement late Friday after a trooper posted crude comments about the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre on Facebook.

“The Connecticut State Police Union has a practice of not commenting on pending allegations or investigations. However, Trooper Rogers’ comments were insensitive, inappropriate and offensive to those who suffered the loss of their children and loved ones in Newtown,” State Police Union President Andrew Matthews said in the statement. “We deeply regret these words were said.”

Jeff Rogers, a 17-year veteran based at Troop E in Montville, wrote the posts earlier this week in response to a story in The Day of New London about his candidacy for a town council seat in Montville.

In the posts, Rogers attempts to defend his state police record when he points out that he was at the school on Dec. 14, 2012, the day a gunman killed 26 people, including first grade students.

“Sandy Hook…for you news…for me baggage I was there. I watched as those children were taken from the school stacked like cord wood. I watched Dr. Carver walk through the scene like a butcher through a slaughter house,” he wrote.

Rogers declined to comment for an story published Thursday by the Courant, as did Matthews.

Matthew’s statement Friday night continued: “Today, I spoke with Trooper Rogers, who is extremely remorseful for the comments he posted on his personal Facebook page. Trooper Rogers stated he never intended to cause further pain to the families of Sandy Hook and will take responsibility for his conduct. Trooper Rogers extends his deepest and sincerest apologies.”

Trooper Kelly Grant, a state police spokeswoman, said that command staff were aware of the post and an internal affairs investigation was ordered to determine if Rogers violated the department’s social media policy.

From The Hartford Courant