DURANGO, Colo. (CBS4) – There’s been strong reaction after a sheriff’s deputy’s sexual comments about a newspaper reporter were caught on her voicemail.

Deputy Zach Farnam from the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office returned a call and left a voicemail for Durango Herald reporter Chase Olivarius-McAllister. He went on to talk about her body with two colleagues not realizing he had not hung up the phone properly. The conversation was caught on the reporter’s voicemail.

Farnam goes on to talk to a coworker about her breast size among other things.

“Not hot. I mean she’s got an okay body,” the deputy said.

“Giant boobs,” another deputy said.

“F***ing giant, dude,” the deputy replies. “I mean not like quadruple Ds or anything, but at least a solid set of Ds, probably double Ds.”

La Plata County Sheriff Sean Smith has apologized to the reporter.

The editor of The Durango Herald, Amy Maestas, condemned the language, calling the situation “disappointing.”

She said “The sheriff understands the enormity of the situation and is taking it seriously.”

Statement From Sheriff Sean Smith About The Incident

I would like to apologize to Miss McAllister, a reporter with the Durango Herald, and the citizens of La Plata County for this unprofessional incident involving inappropriate comments made by members of my staff. I do not condone this type of behavior as it is in direct conflict with the new culture I am trying to develop at the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office.

When I first learned of this situation yesterday evening, three members of my leadership team and I conducted a conference call with Miss McAllister. I apologized and informed her that the leadership team would take immediate steps to deal with the deputies involved.

I do not take this type of situation lightly and I will use this as an opportunity to address all of my staff and reinforce the professional conduct that is expected from members of this agency.

– Sheriff Sean Smith