The police car that the late Lt. Debra Clayton was driving shortly before she was killed while attempting to detain a murder suspect in Orlando has been vandalized.
The Orlando Sentinel reports that Clayton’s patrol vehicle was parked outside the city’s police headquarters since her death as a way to honor her. Mourners have been paying their respects to Clayton by laying wreaths and flowers around the car. But on Friday, police released photos of the vehicle defaced with what appears to be permanent marker.
Unbelievably sad someone would vandalize Lt. Debra Clayton’s vehicle. pic.twitter.com/2yairat1Rq
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) January 20, 2017
Orlando police say they do not plan to remove the vehicle. A bouquet of flowers rested on top of the defaced front end amid the unwanted scribblings.
Police are investigating.
On Tuesday, Markeith Loyd was arrested after a massive 8-day manhunt that began after Clayton was gunned down at a local Wal-Mart in northwest Orlando on Jan. 9. He had been wanted since last month, when his 24-year-old pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, was murdered. Police say Loyd shot Clayton when she attempted to confront him at the store.
On Thursday, charges were filed against Loyd, who now faces a total of 10 charges related to the two incidents. Clayton, 42, wa a 17-year veteran of the department. She was posthumously promoted from the rank of master sergeant.
She is survived by her husband and son.
