Teens Accused of Vandalizing Veteran Statue at Park

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Two teenage boys, ages 16 and 17, have been arrested and charged with criminal mischief, criminal trespassing, and fleeing police after they were caught vandalizing a veteran statue at Mike Miller Park in Marshall County, Kentucky. Deputies discovered the vandalism, which included a broken head and hand holding a gun on the soldier statue, around 3 a.m. on Tuesday morning when they responded to a report of an ATV in the park after hours.

Why it matters

Vandalism of public memorials and statues, especially those honoring veterans and military service members, is a concerning trend that can damage community trust and pride. This incident highlights the need for increased security and youth outreach efforts to prevent such acts of destruction.

The details

According to the sheriff's office, deputies were called to Mike Miller Park around 3 a.m. on Tuesday after receiving a report of an ATV inside the park after hours. When they arrived, they discovered that one of the statues at the Veterans Plaza had been vandalized, with the head and a hand holding a gun broken off the soldier statue. The deputies then spotted an ATV in the distance and chased down two suspects, apprehending a 16-year-old from Paducah and a 17-year-old from Calvert City. Both teens were charged with criminal mischief, criminal trespassing, and fleeing or evading police.

• Deputies were called around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 to the park.
• The vandalism was discovered when deputies arrived at the scene.

What’s next

The two teenage suspects have been booked into the McCracken County Juvenile Detention Center and will face charges in court.