The police memorial in Richmond, Virginia was defaced with red spray paint early Wednesday morning.
The statue of a police officer holding a child -- which was recently moved to Byrd Park -- was found tagged with a big red "X," according to WRIC-TV.
Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham called the overnight vandalism a "cowardly act" during a press conference.
"As a law enforcement community, as a community in Richmond, it's very disheartening," he said while standing in front of the memorial. "This is a cowardly act for someone to come and air his or her grievances at a memorial in honor of 28 police officers who proudly served this individual."
Police received a call around 6 a.m. that the bronze statue had been defaced with the red "X" and "Justice for Alton" sprayed on the ground -- a reference to Alton Sterling, who was shot and killed by police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana last week.
Durham said officers took the report and canvassed the area, asking residents at nearby homes about surveillance video, but ultimately found no footage that covers the memorial.
Officials are asking anyone who saw any suspicious activity near the statue to report it to police.
In response to the vandalism, supporters have brought flowers to the memorial and sent supportive messages to the department.
