Thieves Steal Bronze Stars And Plaques From Memorials Honoring Fallen California Officers — Estimated $54,000 Loss

Thieves stole bronze stars and plaques from memorials and a city building commemorating fallen soldiers and officials in Solano County. The Northern California community is outraged following the thefts.

According to the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, 21 bronze stars honoring fallen officers and deputies were stolen from the Peace Officer Memorial (POM) in Fairfield. The thieves also targeted the city’s Veterans Memorial in Vallejo, which honors fallen service members. All the plaques were stolen from the memorial.

On a social media post, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office wrote, “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 added, “Additionally, bronze plaques on county and courthouse buildings were stolen. Let me be clear: this was not simple theft and not random vandalism. These were deliberate, calculated acts at places of honor, remembrance, and public service.”

It continued, “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 told ABC7 that authorities are conducting an extensive review of surveillance videos to find out the person or people responsible for this despicable act.

DeWall told the outlet, “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?”

On May 30, the sheriff’s office announced that at least one person in connection to the incident has been arrested. The suspect has been identified as Joshua Gonzales, 40, and he was taken into custody with charges pending.

The town sheriff said following that arrest that 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.”

Sergeant Rex Hawkins, PIO for the sheriff’s office, told the New York Post, “Officers recovered hundreds of pounds of cut metal from the memorial thefts.”

Ron Turner, a retired Vallejo police officer, said that the entire 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,” he said.

According to the social media post, the Fairfield community is set to hold its annual memorial ceremony on May 13, which makes this whole incident a major setback.