LAKE ELSINORE >> A bronze dove that was taken from the granite base of the Jeremiah MacKay statue in Lake Arrowhead Village in September has been found.
San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 13-year-old Lake Elsinore boy Tuesday at school after they learned he had allegedly bragged about stealing the dove on the social media photo website Instagram.
During a search of his home, the dove was found in the boy’s bedroom inside a shoebox, sheriff’s officials said in a news release.
The dove, a symbol of peace that adorned the statue of slain sheriff’s Detective Jeremiah MacKay was reported as stolen between Sept. 8 and Sept. 9, according to officials.
The dove represents MacKay’s peaceful nature, said fundraising committee member Holland Lowe.
MacKay was killed in a gun battle on Feb. 12 with ex-Los Angeles police Officer Christopher Dorner.
“All of us owe a debt of gratitude to Jeremiah MacKay,” said San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon in a previous interview. “Our department must draw inspiration from his sacrifice. This statue is a reminder of what Jeremiah died for.”
The statue of MacKay — a 15-year department veteran — was unveiled in the heart of Lollipop Park in Lake Arrowhead Village on Sept. 1.
Sculptor Khachik Khachatouryan created the bronze tribute to the hometown hero.
Khachatouryan was in shock when he heard the bronze dove was missing.
“This is a tribute to Jeremiah, who gave his life defending his community,” the sculptor said back in September.
He couldn’t be reached for comment on Thursday.
He donated hundreds of hours of his time crafting the 8-1/2-foot-high bronze sculpture mounted on a granite pedestal.
Capt. Rick Ells of the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station, who worked with MacKay during his career, said at the time of the theft, “To me this is disheartening. I’ve had to deal with a lot of metal theft, but it is always unsettling.”
In this case, that damage is more emotional because MacKay died in the line of duty, Ells said.
MacKay, who put himself in harm’s way to protect others, is considered a hero among many in law enforcement as well as the mountain community he once called home.
The boy was cited and released, officials said. The boy’s parents also were cited to inform them of his arrest and to be sure they know about the boy’s court date.
