Police memorial vandalized, Delaware’s FOP president: “We want this person to get help”

DOVER, Del. – Police are searching for whoever took an axe to a law enforcement memorial early Friday morning and the president of the state’s Fraternal Order of Police says he’s most concerned with helping the person responsible for the vandalism.

“We want this person to get help, is what we want. We’re not looking for anything other than that,” says Fred Calhoun, the president of the State of Delaware Fraternal Order of Police. “A majority of folks that act out against us have underlying issues and it’s our job to be compassionate when that happens.”

The Dover Police Department says a witness saw someone vandalizing the memorial and called them around 5:30 in the morning on Friday.

“When they arrived they observed damage to the neck and head area of the kneeling officer statue in front of the memorial as well as the axe that was left behind laying there and two state of Delaware flags soaked in urine,” says Cpl. Mark Hoffman, the Public Information Officer for the Dover Police Department.

One local tells 47 ABC they’re disappointed to see this happen, especially to a memorial that honors officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. “We need them. It’s a job. It’s a career that people are proud of. I’m hoping we can get back to the love and respect for our fellow officers,” says Chevelle Cotton.

Calhoun recognizes the person who did this may have been trying to send a message about changes in law enforcement but he also says there are ways to go about change in a way that doesn’t damage property. “We hope those folks can come out and meet with us and really sit down at the table and figure out what needs to be done and make some real change to get through this.”

In the meantime, he says they are committed to fixing the statue and will continue to serve and protect all citizens. “In light of what’s happening it’s important for us to get this back as a symbol that we are still standing here representing you. We still are respecting the rule of law. We still understand we have a job to do,” says Calhoun.

Dover Police say between the evidence left behind at the scene and tips they’ve received, they’re confident they will make an arrest quickly. They also believe the person who did this is not affiliated with any of the recent groups that have protested.

In the meantime, the Delaware FOP has created a Go Fund Me page to raise money to help fix this monument. Click here for that Go Fund Me Page.

Governor John Carney released a statement about this vandalism saying, “Let’s try to treat one another with respect. Ignore the voices who want to divide us up. Working together in good faith is the only way to make meaningful progress.”