The Northern Kentucky Police Memorial in Covington, Kentucky was vandalized Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning. Constructed in memory of the fallen police officers of Northern Kentucky, the monument stands at the foot of the Roebling Suspension Bridge. According to WCPO, police believe the vandalism occurred during the celebration for the All-Star Baseball Game being held nearby, but it wasn’t discovered until Wednesday morning around 10:00.
The memorial consists of three headstone-like granite markers. The middle marker was filled with the names of 30 local police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, and was the marker that was pushed over and destroyed. The stone monument was broken into several pieces when it was pushed. WCPO reports that each marker cost fundraisers $3,000, and had to be installed using a crane in 2013. Vandals attempted to kick over and break a second marker, but failed.
Although insurance may pay for the damage, citizens and police officers alike are outraged about the symbolism of the act itself. “This is extremely personal. This isn’t just an act of violence or somebody just reaching out or lashing out. This is directed towards police officers. And for us, it’s not just the names on that wall, but those names represent the families,” said President of the Northern Kentucky Police Chief’s Association and Bellevue Police Chief Wayne Turner.
According to WLWT5, officers from 30 law enforcement agencies are looking for the responsible parties.
When found, the people responsible will be charged with criminal mischief and desecration of a venerated site. Investigators told WLWT5 that they were able to collect fingerprints and shoe prints from the scene, but will need help from the public in order to find the offenders. The Covington Police Department is heading the investigation, and asks that anyone with any information relating to those involved to please call 859-356-3191.
