Crime Stoppers of Rutherford County offers a reward for information leading to the arrest of the person who vandalized the Johnny Rebel Confederate monument Tuesday on the downtown square.
The vandal spray-painted in pink paint the words âmurderer,â âFt. Pillowâ and âCowardâ on the statue, in an apparent reference to the Battle of Fort Pillow commanded by Lt. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest in April 1864 near Memphis.
Clyde Adkison of Crime Stoppers said the group will offer “up to $1,000.00 if the information leads to an arrest and the tip information came into the Crime Stoppers tip line.”
People who have information may call Crime Stoppers with information at 615-893-STOP between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Investigators are reviewing video surveillance tape taken from the areas around the square, said Sheriffâs Capt. Britt Reed of the Criminal Investigations Division.
Videotape shows someone wearing a coat and scarf walking around the downtown square for about 10 minutes and approaching the statue at 10:21 p.m. He walks away at 10:22 p.m.
The person drove away in a dark-colored, compact to mid-sized car.
I’m so tired of the senseless vandalism!! Jail time should be mandatory for those caught defacing historical statues!! That and forced labor of cleaning statues with a tooth brush and a paste until all vandalism evidence is cleared makes a good start. The statue was to honor the dead and those who served, not to lament thh loss of slavery. These statues were intended to heal a broken nation. Failing to know history is the reason mistakes are repeated!!
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