A memorial unveiled in a Clairemont park just this past weekend was defaced by vandals overnight, the San Diego police reported on Thursday morning.
The park, in fact, was renamed for Officer Austin Machitar at an event on Sunday.
An emotional SDPD Chief Scott Wahl held a hastily arranged news conference at the park on Bannock Avenue on Thursday morning.
"I'm pissed, I'm angry," Wahl said. "To wake up this morning and see the level of disrespect for one of our fallen officers -- I'm beyond words. We are asking for the Clairemont community to come forward and help us out in finding who's responsible for this. You can remain anonymous."
Both sides of the new sign were defaced, making it a total loss, police officials said. Other parts of the park, including sidewalks and building walls, were also defaced, with damages estimated to be $100,000.
Wahl also said the department is going to make it a priority to find the person or people responsible for the damage.
Machitar, who was 30 years old when he died, was killed the night of Aug. 26, 2024, when he and his partner, Officer Zachary Martinez, had their patrol car broadsided by a 16-year-old driver on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. Their patrol cruiser went up in flames. Machitar and the teen driver died. Martinez survived with serious injuries.
San Diego city leaders, including Mayor Todd Gloria, City Council President Joe LaCava, and Wahl were in attendance for Sunday's ceremony to unveil the new park sign bearing Machitar's name. Multiple members of law enforcement, many of whom knew Machitar, were also among the crowd.
Gloria released a statement on Thursday that read, in part: "I am furious that just days after we came together as a community to honor Officer Austin Machitar -- a man who gave his life in service to this city -- someone chose to vandalize and desecrate the memorial to this hero," adding, "To Officer Machitar's family, colleagues and loved ones: Please know that our city stands with you. We will restore the sign, we will continue to honor Austin's legacy, and we will ensure that justice is served."
Officials are offering a $1,500 reward for those behind the incident. Anyone who might be able to help investigators track down the responsible person or persons is asked to contact SDPD at 888-580-8477 or sdcrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may remain anonymous.