AMERICAN FORK, Utah — Police are looking for tips after a veteran memorial was vandalized in American Fork Thursday night.
American Fork City posted a photo of the damaged memorial, which appears to be marred by black spray paint. The memorial is at the city’s cemetery, located at 600 North Center Street.
"I think it says 'U.S. = Terror,'" speculates one person walking by.
"It angers me when I see something like this," said Dee Byergo, a Retired Staff Sergeant who drove down from Tooele to look at the damage. "It's devastating to the point of anger, and heartbreak."
Byergo speculates that the timing of the message may not be coincidence. In light of recent events where five officers were shot and killed in Dallas, and two other officer-involved shootings occurred in Louisiana and Minnesota.
"I definitely think they are related," Byergo said.
Debra Aston said the names of three family members are on walls next to the memorial that was vandalized.
"We were concerned that the people we knew were spray painted," she said.
Aston says she hopes whoever's responsible is caught and jailed for their actions.
Anyone who has knowledge of the crime is asked to contact American Fork PD.
The post from the city states: “We’ve seen several acts of violence, anger and destruction over the past week — locally and nationally. Please be safe and respectful of one another as we continue working to unite as a community. Thanks.”
