Two iconic eagle statues are now missing from the main sign at Veterans Memorial Park on Fort King Street in Marion County after authorities say they were knocked over.

Ocala police say on Tuesday morning, the park director found the two American bald eagle statues that normally sit on top of the sign laying on the ground and in pieces. 

Authorities say with Veterans Day approaching, this was a senseless and hurtful act.

"There's a lot of people that [are] very disappointed, very upset, and we could say enraged about what happened here because it does mean a lot to a lot of people," said Sgt. Cynthia Barnes with the Ocala Police Department. "Some people may not know what this actually stands for, but nonetheless, it’s not your property to destroy.”

“A lot of the freedoms that we have, it may be free to us, but it wasn’t free," Barnes continued. "Somebody fought that fight and we have those liberties, we have those freedoms as Americans and so the people who do know, do look back and say that’s a slap in the face to all the armed forces, all the veterans and those of us who do appreciate how far we’ve come and the freedoms that we have from that.”

This isn't the first time the park has been vandalized. 

Officials say in the last five years, a similar incident happened with one of the eagles, but they were able to repair it. 

The county plans to replace both of the damaged eagles. 

Ocala police said the two eagles were destroyed sometime between 4 p.m. Monday and 8:45 a.m. Tuesday. Police said one of the pillars was also damaged.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Ocala Police Department at (352)369-7000. Anonymous tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers at (352) 368-7867.


Both American Bald Eagles that were affixed to the park's main wall sign were damaged.  (Ocala Police Department)