A memorial dedicated to fallen police officers in Portland, Oregon, was vandalized this week, according to the Portland Police Association.
In a statement on Facebook, the association’s president, Sgt. Aaron Schmautz said the monument at Tom McCall Waterfront Park sustained damage sometime late Tuesday. Individual plaques dedicated to fallen officers were missing images and names had been blacked out.
Schmautz called the destruction “shocking and ugly” and said whoever is responsible is foolish and short-sighted.
“As a current member of the Honor Guard, my heart breaks at such a cowardly and foolish act. The Police Memorial stands as an enduring reminder of the ultimate sacrifice paid by the heroes in Portland who gave their lives to defend the strangers in our community. Each of these individuals are also engraved on the wall of the national monument in Washington DC,” Schmautz said.
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A memorial to fallen police officers at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland, Oregon, was vandalized overnight Tuesday.
(Portland Police Bureau)
Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell told Fox 12 Oregon that the vandalism is “senseless, destructive and intentional,” adding that the attempt to “disgrace” the memory of those who lost their lives serving the city of Portland It is shameful”.
“This memorial honors the heroes, people who had the courage to give their lives while serving the city of Portland. No amount of destruction can erase their legacy. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the people named on the monument”. Lovell told the outlet.
As of Thursday night, no arrest had been made in connection with the vandalism.
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Plaques dedicated to fallen officers in Portland, Oregon, were vandalized overnight Tuesday.
(Portland Police Association)
Schmautz called on the city of Portland to help in the rebuilding process, ensuring the memorial is restored.
“The memory of those who are named there is rooted in the foundations of our city. It is carried in the hearts and in every patch and insignia worn by the officers who now stand guard, carrying out their mission. No foolish or cowardly act can change that,” he said. “They will be remembered. Those who flit in the shadows to destroy will not be.”
The Portland City Council issued the following statement to local media condemning the act and committing to rebuilding the monument:
“The Portland City Council condemns the despicable vandalism of the Portland Police Memorial, a site honoring Portland police officers who have died in the line of duty. The memorial has stood in Portland’s Waterfront Park for nearly 30 years in recognition of your service to the people of Portland. This ugly criminal act only seeks to fuel divisive and destructive rhetoric that is not representative of who we are as a city. We in the City Council will work together with the Portland Police Historical Society to ensure that the monument be restored. We recognize the hard-working public safety staff who work to keep our community safe every day and honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
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The monument, built in 1994, is located near the Hawthorne Bridge. There are 29 members of the Portland police on the wall, from the first killed in 1867 to the most recent in 2002.
The Portland Police Bureau released a photo of what the memorial to fallen police officers looked like at Tom McCall Waterfront Park before it was vandalized.
(Portland Police Bureau)
Schmautz said donations can be made to the Portland Police Historical Society for rebuilding efforts. He said the organization is responsible for managing the monument and the museum, and is not directly affiliated with the police office.
