The Solano County Sheriff is furious after thieves targeted the bronze stars of fallen deputies and officers, along with plaques honoring veterans, just before a memorial to remember those individuals. For now, families have left American flags on the empty spots.
Thursday, April 30, 2026 2:39PMThe Solano County Sheriff is furious after thieves targeted the bronze stars of fallen deputies and officers, leaving community groups scrambling before a May 13th memorial to remember those individuals.
The thefts happened at multiple locations in Fairfield and Vallejo, from City Hall to a courthouse, to a memorial wall for fallen officers.
"Because every single star was gone, it started us questioning what had happened. And we came to the determination quickly that they had been stolen," Solano County Sheriff Brad DeWall said. Sheriff DeWall described the 21 bronze stars, representing the fallen deputies and officers in the county, that were recently stolen from the Peace Officer Memorial in Fairfield.
"In my 35 years here, we've never had this happen. Who would stoop this low to pry stars from those that have sacrificed their lives for this county, for this profession, for this community?
" said Sheriff DeWall. Along with the Peace Officer Memorial, plaques were also stolen in Fairfield from the Veterans Memorial and from outside the courthouse. Retired police officer Ron Turner got a call Tuesday from the sheriff. Turner heads the 100 Club of Solano and Yolo Counties, the organization that financially helps spouses of lost officers.
They had also been planning an upcoming memorial ceremony at this site to honor the 21 officers who sacrificed their lives, those like Turner's former partner Art Koch, whose star was stolen.
"Our community members have said, number one, they don't like it, don't appreciate it, they're madder than hell, and they're not going to take it anymore, and they've been extremely vocal," Turner said. "I don't think the crooks, the bad guys, realize that those stars were like, $2,600 a piece, and so the loss, if you just do the rough math, put you somewhere in that $54,000 category. "For now, families have left American flags on the empty spots.
Turner says local companies are helping with temporary aluminum or steel stars for the memorial ceremony on May 13th. Sheriff DeWall says they are reviewing surveillance video, have a quote "possible persons of interest," and are actively working to find the people who did this.
"My message to them is this: We're coming for you, we are going to find you, and you will be held accountable for this act. We won't stop until we get justice for these families," said DeWall.
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