Thieves have ripped bronze stars from the Peace Officer Memorial outside the Solano County Sheriff's main office in Fairfield and pried off plaques from the neighboring veterans memorial, leaving bare mounts where names and tributes once were. County officials say the vandalism has shaken families and deputies who counted on those walls as long-standing places of remembrance. Investigators are working the case, but so far no suspects or descriptions have been released.
As reported by CBS Sacramento, Solano County Sheriff Brad DeWall said the Peace Officer Memorial was specifically targeted and that several bronze stars were stolen. DeWall also confirmed that multiple plaques at the adjacent Veterans Memorial had been removed and said the department would use "every available resource" to track down whoever is responsible. The Sheriff's Office is asking anyone who might have seen or heard anything to come forward.
Where It Happened
The vandalism happened at the main Solano County Sheriff's Office campus at 530 Union Avenue, Suite 100, in Fairfield. According to the Solano County Sheriff's Office, that site houses the agency's administrative operations and public-facing services. The wall-mounted stars and plaques there honor fallen peace officers and military veterans from across the county, turning the front of the building into a shared memorial space.
County Reaction
Sheriff DeWall did not sugarcoat his response. He called the thefts "not simple theft" and described them as "deliberate, calculated acts" carried out at places meant for remembrance, according to CBS Sacramento. DeWall said his office would work tirelessly to identify and arrest those involved and promised they would be held fully accountable under the law. The department has not released any suspect description.
A Growing Problem
Law enforcement agencies across the Bay Area have been dealing with similar hits on memorials and cemeteries, where thieves go after metal fixtures for scrap. KTVU reported that nearly 200 bronze vases were stolen from a Lafayette cemetery last year, a case that underscored how valuable bronze has become to thieves looking for quick cash. Incidents like these have led to stepped-up patrols and repeated calls for residents to report any suspicious activity around memorial sites before damage is done.
How To Help
Anyone with information about the Fairfield thefts is urged to call the Solano County Sheriff's Office tip line at (707) 784-7000 or use the public contact options listed on its website. According to the Solano County Sheriff's Office, anonymous tips are welcome, and even small details could help move the investigation forward. Officials say evidence from the scene will be preserved and that they are coordinating with partner agencies as needed while they work to restore the memorials and find whoever tore them apart.
