A college student from Spartanburg, S.C., was arrested Wednesday night after police say he vandalized the memorial for fallen Spartanburg Police Officer Jason Gregory Harris.
An officer saw Charles Coulson grab flowers and a wreath off the patrol car then drag them across the parking lot, reports WSPA News.
Police report Coulson was ‘grossly intoxicated’ and smelled of alcohol.
Coulson, a student at Wofford College, was charged with littering and public disorderly conduct.
The suspect was a member of the soccer team, and the college tells WSPA Coulson was suspended for violating team rules before this incident.
The police department says the vandalism is a disappointing, but it’s grateful for the community’s support.
In its statement published by WSPA, the Spartanburg Police Department said, “It is certainly heartbreaking for our department. The young man made a bad decision as a result of being under the influence. The Spartanburg Police Department cannot say enough about the outpouring of support from our community. We continue to ask for prayers for the Harris family and our police department.”
Officer Harris, 39, was on a motorcycle responding to a call when he was struck by a car. He was thrown from the motorcycle suffering critical injuries and died days later in the hospital.
Harris was a 12-year veteran of the department. CBS North Carolina reports other officers said Harris loved his work and was on the SWAT team, as well as the motorcycle unit, K-9 tracking team, downtown bicycle unit, housing complex team and was also a gang investigator.
Officer Harris’ memorial remains in front of city hall.
A GoFundMe campaign for Officer Harris and his family has been created to help with expenses related to his death.
WSPA reports Coulson was released from jail on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond.
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