Ever since she was killed in the line of duty on January 9, the late Lt. Debra Clayton’s police cruiser has served as a makeshift memorial outside of the Orlando Police headquarters. But late last week, the vehicle was vandalized with what appears to be mostly random, irrelevant graffiti.
“Unbelievably sad someone would vandalize Lt. Debra Clayton’s vehicle,” read the Orlando Police Twitter account.
The cruiser, which Clayton was driving when she was shot outside of a WalMart in pursuit of an alleged murderer, had words and phrases scribbled over the hood in blue permanent marker such as “Kansas,” “Angela Madison is the best,” “Tax Payer,” “Protect and Serve The Public,” “Rapest” [sic], and “Love You.”
The police department has said that they will not move the vehicle, but continue to leave it parked in front of the station at Pine Street and Hughey Avenue, where flowers, flags, and pictures of Clayton have also been laid as tokens of mourning and respect.
Clayton’s shooter, Markeith Loyd, was arrested earlier last week after a widespread manhunt. In 2015, shootings were the leading cause of police deaths, claiming the lives of 41 police officers, according to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund.
Car accidents also kill dozens of police officers each year. Whereas most Americans drive an average of 29.2 miles per day in 46 minutes, police officers on duty may cover 100 miles or more during their shifts, especially while in pursuit of criminals.
Loyd was finally captured eight days after Clayton’s death, and he was cuffed using her former handcuffs. He also stands accused of killing his former girlfriend, Sade Dixon, in December. He is being held without bail, facing a total of 10 charges in relation to both Dixon’s and Clayton’s deaths.
Clayton, 42, had been with the Orlando Police Department for 17 years at the time of her death. She was posthumously promoted to the rank of master sergeant with the force, and is survived by her husband and son.
The police do not yet have any suspects in connection with the vandalism of the vehicle, but OPD spokesperson Wanda Miglio said that they will continue to review surveillance footage to investigate the matter.
