A mural honoring three Chicago police officers on the city's Southwest Side was found covered in graffiti Monday, sparking anger from neighbors and swift condemnation from local officials. The public artwork, long treated as a neighborhood memorial to officers killed in recent years, was left marked while residents called for a cleanup and some answers.
Cook County Crime Stoppers says the vandalism happened in the 6800 block of South Pulaski Road and is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest or indictment, according to FOX 32 Chicago. Authorities have not released any details about suspects, and no arrests have been announced.
Anonymous tips may be submitted by phone at 1-800-535-STOP (7867) or online at P3Tips, and officials are hoping someone comes forward with information that can point detectives in the right direction.
In a statement to FOX 32 Chicago, Ald. Jim Gardiner said the damage "deeply impacted the officers, family members and community members who view the mural as a symbol of remembrance and respect" and urged the city to honor those lost. Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza also condemned the defacement and said she hoped "there's video identifying who defaced this important mural honoring these three fallen heroes."
Who the mural honors
The wall pays tribute to Officers Luis Huesca, Andrés Vásquez Lasso and Enrique Martinez, each of whom died in separate on-duty shootings in recent years. Coverage of public memorials by the Chicago Sun-Times and records from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police describe how neighborhoods and artists have worked to commemorate recent line-of-duty deaths.
How to report tips
Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact Cook County Crime Stoppers. Anonymous tips can be phoned in at 1-800-535-STOP (7867) or submitted online at P3Tips. Community members say they hope the mural will be cleaned and restored quickly while investigators follow up on leads.
