Last night, Tega Cay city leaders decided to remove a monument dedicated to fallen police officers after a controversy erupted over religious references.
When the monument was built, it featured several mentions of the word “Lord”. After several complaints, the city decided to remove the word from the monument. More complaints then poured in over the removal of the word.
Tega Cay City Manager Charlie Funderburk released the following statement about the ultimate removal of the monument:
The City of Tega Cay and our Police Department understand that not everyone agrees with the religious references that were on the monument located in the Fallen Officers Memorial at our Police Station. We also understand that just as many people are not in agreement that we have removed those references. There was never any intent to hold any group in higher regard than another. This monument was modeled after other monuments that appear across the country at various levels of government honoring law enforcement officers, military veterans and others whose duty is to protect and serve. Be that as it may, after seeking legal advice on the matter and after discussing it at length with City Council, we have made the decision to remove those references. We are public servants and want to make certain that all members of the public, regardless of what their religious beliefs may or may not be, understand that we are here to serve everyone. They will be welcomed into our facilities, whether it be the Police Station or City Hall, they will be treated fairly and with the respect they are owed by us. As the two sides of this issue continue to debate their stance we hope they will do so civilly and respectfully.
Local Congressman Ralph Norman disagreed with the decision and even posted a Facebook video in which he stated;
“You know the last time I checked, it was ‘one nation under God,’ to have this scratched out is sad, to say the least. That’s why we’re fighting in Washington, D.C. to put God back in public to buildings like this to put God back in our public schools.”
What do you think about the decision?