Police Memorial Vandalized With the Phrase 'Justice for Alton' Spelled Out in Red Paint

Less than 18 hours after the Richmond, Virginia, police department tweeted photos showing the new location of the city's 28-year-old memorial for its officers killed in the line of duty, the memorial was vandalized with red paint.

Someone vandalized the police memorial that was recently moved to Byrd Park @CBS6 @RichmondPolice pic.twitter.com/ex0WpKufnL

— Jake Burns (@JakeBurnsCBS6) July 13, 2016

The phrase "Justice For Alton" — presumably a reference to Alton Sterling, who was fatally shot by Baton Rouge police during an altercation last week — was painted on the stone plaza where the memorial statue now stands. The statue itself also was defaced with red paint.

Image source: WTVR-TV

According to local reporter Jake Burns of WTVR-TV, the statue sat untouched and "without a scratch" in its original location for nearly three decades. It was only after police posted the following tweet — proudly showing off the new location and thanking people for leaving flowers on the statue — that the vandalism occurred.

The paving stones indicate beautiful progress at the Police Memorial statue. Thanks for the flowers, #rva pic.twitter.com/CKRNCzoAyt

— Richmond Police (@RichmondPolice) July 12, 2016

Richmond police told TheBlaze clean-up efforts have begun.

(H/T: WTVR)

—

Follow the author of this story on Twitter and Facebook:

Follow @stuntbrain