The patrol car that Orlando, Fla., Police Lt. Debra Clayton was driving before she was gunned down while trying to capture an accused murderer has been vandalized, the Orlando Police Department has revealed, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Clayton’s patrol car has been parked outside police headquarters since her shooting death Jan. 9, with mourners expressing themselves in different ways.
The OPD posted photos to its Twitter account Friday showing that the vehicle, while decorated with flowers and flags, was also defaced with what appears to be blue permanent marker. The pictures showed scribbles including “Tax Payer,” “Protect & Serve The Public,” “Angela Madison Is the Best” and “Kansas.”
“Unbelievably sad someone would vandalize Lt. Debra Clayton’s vehicle,” the department lamented.
According to the Sentinel, the Police Department will not move the vehicle but will keep it parked in front of the station next to banners of Clayton’s face and other makeshift memorials.
Police are investigating the vandalism, police spokesperson Wanda Miglio said: “We are checking the cameras and looking for a suspect.”
Markeith Loyd, who is the suspect in Clayton’s shooting death, was arrested Tuesday after a massive manhunt. Loyd was also wanted in connection with the killing of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, in December. Loyd faces a total of 10 charges related to the two deaths.
Clayton, 42, was posthumously promoted from master sergeant. She is survived by her husband and son.
Read more at the Orlando Sentinel.