{"id":294198,"date":"2026-05-01T02:00:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T02:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/294198\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T02:00:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T02:00:08","slug":"who-would-stoop-this-low","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/294198\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Who would stoop this low?\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Northern California community is outraged after thieves stole bronze stars and plaques<\/a> from a city building and memorials honoring fallen officers and soldiers in Solano county.<\/p>\n

Twenty-one bronze stars dedicated to the memory of fallen officers<\/a> and deputies were ripped out of the Peace Officer Memorial (POM) in Fairfield, according to a post on social media<\/a> from the Solano County Sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

The despicable thieves not only stole from the officer memorial, but also from the town\u2019s Veterans memorial which honors those who served our country<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThose responsible not only desecrated our POM\u2014which honors 21 law enforcement officers who gave their lives in service to this county and the people they swore to protect\u2014but 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,\u201d the post from the sheriff\u2019s office read.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdditionally, bronze plaques on county and courthouse buildings were stolen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Collection of desecrated materials from memorial thefts in various containers. solanosheriffsoffice<\/p>\n

Bronze plaque depicting two hands holding a folded American flag with stars. solanosheriffsoffice<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me be clear: this was not simple theft, and not random vandalism,\u201d the post read. \u201cThese were deliberate, calculated acts at places of honor, remembrance, and public service.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis 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\u2014honor, sacrifice, respect, and decency.\u201d<\/p>\n

Solano County Sheriff Brad DeWall said they are reviewing surveillance video and will find the person or persons who did this.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my 35 years here, we\u2019ve 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?\u201d DeWall told ABC7<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Veterans Memorial in Vallejo<\/a> was also hit, where all the plaques were stolen.<\/p>\n

Pieces of memorial materials, black with gold edges, broken and scattered on a concrete surface. solanosheriffsoffice<\/p>\n

Damaged black and gold star-shaped memorial plaques. solanosheriffsoffice<\/p>\n

Retired Vallejo police officer Ron Turner said the community is \u201cmadder than hell, and they\u2019re not going to take it anymore, and they\u2019ve been extremely vocal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t 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,\u201d Turner told the outlet.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Making matters even worse, the Fairfield community is just days away from its annual memorial ceremony on May 13 \u201cwhen law enforcement, families, and community members gather to honor the sacrifice of these 21 heroes,\u201d per the post.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo those responsible: hear me clearly. You did not steal mere metal\u2014you stole symbols of sacrifice, duty, courage, and patriotism.\u201d<\/p>\n

The post added, \u201cYou 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

The department has also vowed to restore the memorials.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis county does not forget its heroes. We will not tolerate those who dishonor them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Late Thursday, the sheriff\u2019s office posted that there had been at least one arrest so far in the case<\/a>. Joshua Gonzales, 40, of Vallejo was arrested with charges pending.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sergeant Rex Hawkins said the investigation is active and ongoing. solanosheriffsoffice<\/p>\n

The thieves not only stole from the officer memorial, but also from the town\u2019s Veterans memorial. solanosheriffsoffice<\/p>\n

\u201cOfficers recovered hundreds of pounds of cut metal from the memorial thefts,\u201d Sergeant Rex Hawkins PIO for the sheriff\u2019s office told The Post.<\/p>\n

Hawkins said the investigation is active and ongoing.<\/p>\n

Following the arrest, DeWall said he \u201ccouldn\u2019t be prouder of our Detectives and allied agencies who worked tirelessly chasing leads and solving this crime. As I\u2019ve said we will find you,\u201d per the post.<\/p>\n

Hawkins said the department is working on a temporary fix for the peace officer memorial and a permanent replacement in the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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