Gary Webb was truly an authentic journalist.  To many millions, he exposed the realities of United States government participation in the very drug trade it claims to wage "war" against.  His tremendous success and effectiveness in fearlessly pursuing that story can be measured in the hideous array of forces which tried to destroy him because of it.  His courageous journalism went far beyond a single great story.  But for those that didn't know Gary or even his other work, to remember him as the journalist who shattered the illusions of millions with his Dark Alliance reporting isn't a bad thing.  It's a signpost that points to more.  I hope that can be a comfort to some, because it has certainly been an inspiration to many.  Journalism is better that he lived.  In his passing, far more than journalism suffers the loss.  
My heart goes out to all of Gary's family and friends facing the shock of his passing.