Memoir and Using Actual Names

My theme is about police chases killing the innocent & how to prevent this from happening to others: innocent bystanders & police officers. Footnoted copy contains the names of officers & innocent victims. The families I’ve interviewed want their names in the book. The book’s back matter lists thousands of bystanders killed. The career officers, not involved in the chases, who serve on my nonprofit’s advisory board are fine w/me using their names. I’m giving drafts of sections to named people. Example, the neurosurgeon who treated Kristie sent me a complimentary note about my hospital copy, his quotes, & its accuracy.

I prefer keeping the actual names & locations. One issue: I don’t use the fleeing drivers’ names; I follow the guidelines of No Notoriety to not promote criminals. However, some footnoted chase copy includes officers’ names & comments. Should I wait & let a publisher decide whether to change names & locations?

Your teaching, like today’s, helps me w/my rewrites. TY.