ORLANDO, Fla. ā Lt. Debra Clayton's patrol car was vandalized outside of the Orlando Police Department, the OPD tweeted Friday afternoon.
The police department said the act was "unbelievably sad," but did not give any other details.Ā
Clayton, 42, was shot and killed Jan. 9 outside a Walmart while trying to make contact withĀ MarkeithĀ Loyd, who was wanted in the shooting death of his pregnant ex-girlfriend.Ā LoydĀ was arrested Tuesday night at an abandoned home in the Carver Shores neighborhood of Orlando, bringing a massive nine-day manhunt to an end.
Clayton's car had been parked outside of the OPD headquarters since she was killed as a way for community members to remember and honor her.
Unbelievably sad someone would vandalize Lt. Debra Clayton's vehicle. pic.twitter.com/2yairat1Rq
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) January 20, 2017
"It's just tradition so that people can come see her vehicle, and you know, it's a piece of her," Orlando police Chief John Mina said.
OPD @ChiefJohnMina talks about why we honor Master Sgt. Debra Clayton's patrol vehicle in front of OPD Headquarters. pic.twitter.com/2ca9uHjurJ
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) January 10, 2017
Mina said it also gave a place for fellow officers to go and pay their respects, as well.
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