DECATUR, Ala. — A makeshift memorial which has been seen in various forms standing outside the entrance to Decatur City Hall was destroyed overnight, hours before a Christmas Eve memorial service in honor of Steve Perkins, who was shot and killed by a police officer Sept. 29.
Citizens and members of various community justice organizations supporting the Perkins family discovered the destruction Sunday morning. Decatur Police confirmed the vandalism in a social media post.
Police say the act was captured on security cameras at about 12:40 a.m. Sunday. A person dressed in all black clothing removed the poster featuring a portrait of Steve Perkins from the front of Decatur City Hall. Glass vases and candles that had been set up around the poster were seen smashed and broken against the steps of City Hall.
"The removal of the memorial was not authorized or done at the direction of anyone from the police department or the Mayor’s office," DPD said on Facebook. "No further information is available at this time."
Community justice organizations FOX54 reached out to on Sunday declined to comment, citing sensitivity concerns for the Perkins family, who attended a memorial vigil scheduled for 8 a.m. at Wheeler Chapel Church.
However, following the services, volunteers were seen erecting a new memorial where the old one stood.
This past week there had been confrontation between Perkins supporters and Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling, after signs supporting the officers involved in Perkins' fatal shooting appeared at City Hall. Three DPD officers have been terminated, with a fourth placed on suspension. All four have appealed their disciplinary findings, with hearings expected to begin with the city personnel board in January.
Earlier in December, city councilman Hunter Pepper said the memorial signage should be removed. Pepper said he believes the signs violate city ordinances. He has also been vocal in his continued support for the disciplined officers.
