Fall River police arrest suspect for vandalism of Fallen Officers Memorial

Fall River police announced Sunday they arrested a man for allegedly vandalizing the city’s Fallen Officers’ Memorial. 

In a post on its Facebook page Sunday morning, the department shared a photo of the memorial, which had been covered in yellow spray paint around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, and asked for the public’s help in identifying a man who was caught on surveillance footage. 

That afternoon, police shared a second post announcing that they had arrested a 29-year-old man they said was suffering from mental health problems.

“During the investigation, it was determined that [he] is suffering from severe mental health challenges at this time,” they wrote. 

While he will be “charged accordingly,” the department said its focus had shifted to ensuring he “receives the appropriate care and support necessary to address these issues.” 

The memorial honors five Fall River police officers who were killed in the line of duty, from Constable Gideon Manchester in 1852 to Officer Richard Magan in 2000. It includes statues with inscriptions of their names and bricks inscribed with tributes to loved ones. 

“This memorial is not just a structure; it represents the bravery and sacrifice of our dedicated law enforcement officers who have served and protected our community,” they wrote.

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