Bronze statue of Tuskegee aviator found after theft from Detroit’s city park

DETROIT (AP) — A 500-pound bronze statue of a Tuskegee aviator has been found after it was stolen from a city park, Detroit police said Friday.

The statue of Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson was reported missing Wednesday evening from Rouge Park on Detroit’s far west side, police said.

It turned out to be sawn off at the ankles.

Details on how and where it was recovered will be released soon, Cpl. said Dan Donakowski.

No arrests have been reported. Investigators believe the statue was taken sometime Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning, possibly with the intention of selling the metal for scrap.

Jefferson was a member of the famous Red Tails during World War II. The unit escorted bombers over Europe. Jefferson was shot and held as a prisoner of war. After his release he returned to Detroit.

Jefferson later taught in schools and served as assistant principal. He also helped form the Tuskegee Airmen chapter in Detroit.

The airmen were the first in the country all black air fighter squadron. They trained and fought separately from white combat units due to segregation in the U.S. military. Their unit was based in Tuskegee, Alabama, but Michigan served as an advanced training ground during the war.

The Jefferson statue was unveiled in June. The ceremony was attended by Mayor Mike Duggan, Jefferson’s family and his former students. A square was also built in front of the statue.

Jefferson flew model airplanes in the area of ​​the park where the statue stood. That field was already named after him. He was honored by the city on his 100th birthday in 2021. Jefferson died in 2022.

“Lt. Colonel Jefferson was a hero in every sense of the word and deeply deserves this honor,” Duggan said during the statue unveiling. “He distinguished himself as a Tuskegee aviator and prisoner of war in World War II, and again at home as a celebrated educator. The people of Detroit are deeply grateful for his service and this plaza and statue are a reflection of our collective appreciation.”