It's shocking when you see it. The "Heil Hitler" salute, in a picture titled "Hail Byrd," the name of the instructor of the training course, performed by a graduating class of 37 West Virginia correctional officers.
Secretary of Military Affairs and Public Safety Jeff Sandy said he was made aware of this picture on the day before Thanksgiving.
"The commissioner of corrections Betsy Jividen called me and said, 'Check your email,' " Sandy said. "And I checked it and saw the photograph and it was just so with disgust."
Sandy said the photo was taken to celebrate the cadets graduating from their five-week training course in Glenville. To make matters worse, the picture was printed, copied and placed in the graduation packets of each correctional officer.
"Just terrible. It was terrible, disrespectful. It was a very poor decision," Sandy said.
Sandy says he has met with faith and community leaders about the photo, asking for their input and hoping to use their expertise to adjust the division's correctional officer training.
Charleston Rabbi Victor Urecki with the B'Nai Jacob Synagogue was in that meeting and asked for his reaction to the picture.
"Deeply disturbing," Urecki said. "It was shocking, hurtful. At first, I was speechless. Upon reflection and listening to the people that were briefing us, I recognized it can't possibly be what West Virginians are all about. I think that's what's very hurtful, because that's not the experience of, as a member of the Jewish people, what West Virginians are all about."
Urecki was asked what he would tell people who say they understand it's a serious situation but it's just a joke, they were only joking.
"I don't know the hearts and minds of everyone, obviously. If it was done out of ignorance and stupidity, perhaps it is a chance for a teachable moment. If it's hateful, and we're seeing the rise of anti-Semitism, racism, hatred of others, then it's a disturbing trend that we need to, we need to address in a hurry because this country cannot afford to have things like that happen," he said.
Sandy said he is hopeful to have the investigation into the photo finished before Christmas so he can issue a report to West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, who has already ordered the termination of all those who are found to be involved with the photograph.
"So, we want to analyze the information and complete the report and make that recommendation appropriately," he said.
(Editor's note: The picture was blurred by the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety prior to its release to Eyewitness News.)