DETROIT (AP) — The police in Detroit announced on Friday that a bronze statue weighing 600 pounds (272 kilograms), honoring Tuskegee airman Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson, has been recovered after being stolen from Rouge Park.
Authorities reported that the statue was last seen on Wednesday evening and appeared to have been cut off at the ankles. It is believed to have been taken during the night of Tuesday or early Wednesday morning.
Mayor Mike Duggan provided updates to reporters, explaining that officers conducted a thorough search of the neighborhood to establish the timeline of the theft. Surveillance footage from local businesses captured a large rental truck leaving the vicinity during that time.
Following this lead, police contacted the rental truck company and discovered that the vehicle was equipped with GPS tracking. According to Duggan, “Officers learned that the individual who rented the truck was also linked to other thefts.” Utilizing real-time tracking, they were able to apprehend him. Upon his arrest, he surrendered the statue and confessed to the crime, leading to two arrests.
Details surrounding the arrests have not yet been disclosed by the authorities.
Lt. Col. Jefferson was a distinguished member of the celebrated Tuskegee Airmen squadron during World War II, known as the Red Tails. This squadron made significant contributions by escorting bombers across Europe. Jefferson himself was shot down and captured, enduring time as a prisoner of war before returning to Detroit.
Beyond his military service, Jefferson dedicated his life to education, becoming a teacher and later a vice principal. He played an instrumental role in establishing the Tuskegee Airmen chapter in Detroit, ensuring the legacy of his fellow airmen continued.
Historically, the Tuskegee Airmen were the first all-Black fighter squadron in the United States, trained and deployed separately from their white counterparts due to the deeply rooted segregation within the military. Although their base was located in Tuskegee, Alabama, Michigan also served as an important site for advanced training during the war.
In June, the statue commemorating Jefferson was unveiled in a ceremony attended by Mayor Duggan, his family, and former students. A dedicated plaza was constructed around the statue, which honors Jefferson’s contributions to aviation and education. Notably, Jefferson used to fly model airplanes in the same park where the statue now stands, where a field had already been named after him. The city celebrated his 100th birthday in 2021, and he passed away in 2022.
“Lt. Col. Jefferson was a hero in every sense of the word and so richly deserves this honor,” said Mayor Duggan during the unveiling ceremony. “His remarkable service as a Tuskegee Airman and his dedication as an educator makes him a person of great respect. The people of Detroit are profoundly thankful for his contributions, and this plaza and statue serve as a lasting symbol of our shared gratitude.”
