09.06.24
by

COUNTY EXECUTIVE MEYER, FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE, NCCPD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND CRIMESTOPPERS COLLABORATE TO OFFER REWARD FOR THE ARREST AND CONVICTION IN THE VANDALISM OF LT. JOSEPH SZCZERBA MEMORIAL SIGN

(New Castle, DE 19720) New Castle County Police have announced a reward of up to $6000.00 for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for vandalizing the Lt. Szczerba memorial sign.

On Monday, September 2, 2024, patrol officers with the New Castle County Division of Police responded to the 300 block of E. Roosevelt Avenue in Penn Acres for a criminal mischief. It was discovered the Lt. Joseph Szczerba memorial sign was vandalized with spray paint sometime over the weekend. Lt. Szczerba made the ultimate sacrifice when he was murdered in the line of duty on September 16, 2011, and members of the community placed this sign in his honor.

“I’m deeply disturbed and disgusted by the vandalism to the memorial sign for Lt. Joseph Szczerba discovered Monday,” said County Executive Meyer. “Lt. Szczerba made the ultimate sacrifice protecting his community and was the kind of officer we should hope all those on our police force strive to be. To Lt. Szczerba’s family and the community, this memorial will be replaced and those responsible will be held accountable.”

Colonel Bloch added, “Clearly, the person(s) responsible for this heinous act is not aware of the significance of this memorial and what it means to our officers, Joe’s family, and the community that has supported us from the night of this tragedy.  We will continue seeking those responsible for this crime and ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.”

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Unit have assumed the investigation are asking if residents in the area can review their video surveillance between August 31, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. until September 2, 2024, at 9:35 a.m. for any suspicious activity that may be related to this. If you have any information about this investigation, please contact Detective Vucci at Daniel.vucci@newcastlede.gov or (302) 395-2744.

Tips can be forwarded to:

• New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency number at (302) 573-2800

• Criminal Investigation Unit at (302) 395-8110

• Online through Facebook (IM) “New Castle County Police”

• Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333

• Online at http://www.delawarecrimestoppers.com

Tips can be submitted anonymously.