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A Northern California community is outraged after thieves stole bronze stars and plaques from a city building and memorials honoring fallen officers and soldiers in Solano county.
Twenty-one bronze stars dedicated to the memory of fallen officers and deputies were ripped out of the Peace Officer Memorial (POM) in Fairfield, according to a post on social media from the Solano County Sheriff’s office.
The despicable thieves not only stole from the officer memorial, but also from the town’s Veterans memorial which honors those who served our country.
“Those responsible not only desecrated our POM—which honors 21 law enforcement officers who gave their lives in service to this county and the people they swore to protect—but also targeted our Veterans Memorial, stealing plaques that recognize the service and sacrifice of the men and women of Solano County who served our nation,” the post from the sheriff’s office read.
“Additionally, bronze plaques on county and courthouse buildings were stolen.”
“Let me be clear: this was not simple theft, and not random vandalism,” the post read. “These were deliberate, calculated acts at places of honor, remembrance, and public service.”
“This was an attack on the memory of fallen peace officers, veterans, and the families who carry their legacy. It was an attack on the community and the values we stand for—honor, sacrifice, respect, and decency.”
Solano County Sheriff Brad DeWall said they are reviewing surveillance video and will find the person or persons who did this.
“In my 35 years here, we’ve never had this happen. Who would stoop this low to pry stars from those that have sacrificed their lives for this county, for this profession, for this community?” DeWall told ABC7.
The Veterans Memorial in Vallejo was also hit, where all the plaques were stolen.
Retired Vallejo police officer Ron Turner said the community is “madder than hell, and they’re not going to take it anymore, and they’ve been extremely vocal.”
“I don’t think the crooks, the bad guys, realize that those stars were like, $2,600 a piece, and so the loss, if you just do the rough math, put you somewhere in that $54,000 category,” Turner told the outlet.
Making matters even worse, the Fairfield community is just days away from its annual memorial ceremony on May 13 “when law enforcement, families, and community members gather to honor the sacrifice of these 21 heroes,” per the post.
“To those responsible: hear me clearly. You did not steal mere metal—you stole symbols of sacrifice, duty, courage, and patriotism.”
The post added, “You violated places of remembrance that hold deep meaning for this county. We will work tirelessly to find you and ensure you are held fully accountable under the law.”
The department has also vowed to restore the memorials.
“This county does not forget its heroes. We will not tolerate those who dishonor them.”
Late Thursday, the sheriff’s office posted that there had been at least one arrest so far in the case. Joshua Gonzales, 40, of Vallejo was arrested with charges pending.
“Officers recovered hundreds of pounds of cut metal from the memorial thefts,” Sergeant Rex Hawkins PIO for the sheriff’s office told The Post.
Hawkins said the investigation is active and ongoing.
Following the arrest, DeWall said he “couldn’t be prouder of our Detectives and allied agencies who worked tirelessly chasing leads and solving this crime. As I’ve said we will find you,” per the post.
Hawkins said the department is working on a temporary fix for the peace officer memorial and a permanent replacement in the future.
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