Police are searching for clues about the stolen Tuskegee Airman statue in Detroit’s Rouge Park

DETROIT – Detroit Police are investigating after a Tuskegee Airman statue was stolen Rouge Park.

The statue was unveiled in June and honors the late Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson.

The statue weighed about 600 pounds. and was made of bronze.

“I believe this was done for the purpose of scrapping, but that’s not OK,” said Detroit Police Deputy Chief Franklin Hayes.

The statue was reported stolen on Wednesday (October 23).

The police are looking for those responsible.

“The impact of what they did goes deeper than what they did on this site,” Franklin said. “The history, the legacy of the Red Tails, the Tuskegee Airmen, his family, for those who served with him and those who serve today. If you embarrass this, you’re an absolute coward.”

Jefferson flew missions as a Tuskegee airman in World War II, survived German captivity and returned home to become a popular school teacher.

Jefferson’s granddaughter Ernestine Lavergne joined police and urged anyone with information to come forward.

“This theft goes beyond vandalism; It is a loss for everyone who found meaning, connection and pride in this statue and the heroic actions of the Tuskegee Airmen,” Lavergne said in the statement.

DPD Rewards TV is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the return of the stolen statue.

Anyone with information about this crime should call the Detroit Police Department 6th Precinct at 313-596-5640, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak Up or DetroitRewards.tv.