Detroit police are investigating the recent theft of a life-size, bronze statue honoring a decorated Tuskegee Airman at Rouge Park.
The statue was erected in early June to pay tribute to Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson, a WWII veteran, German prisoner of war, and beloved Detroit teacher who flew model airplanes at Rouge Park as a young boy.
Jefferson died at 100 in 2022.
The statue was created by Detroit-based sculptor Austen Brantley.
Residents reported the statue missing late Wednesday. Police believe it was removed overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday.
Police are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the return of the statue.
Police are also asking scrapyards to be on the lookout for the statue.
“Somebody saw or knows something,” DPD Chief James White said in a news release.
Jefferson’s story is one of remarkable resilience and service. As a member of the celebrated Red Tails unit — named for the red-painted tails of their planes — Jefferson flew numerous combat missions escorting bombers in Europe during WWII. The Red Tails became renowned for their skill and dedication, losing few planes and becoming a preferred choice for bomber pilots.
Despite being shot down and enduring a brutal stint as a prisoner of war, Jefferson returned home to Detroit, where he became an educator and vice principal, as well as co-founding a Tuskegee Airman chapter in Detroit.
The sculpture, made possible through contributions from Cynthia and Edsel Ford and the Henry Ford II Fund in collaboration with Detroit’s Office of Arts, Culture & Entrepreneurship, is part of the city’s efforts to honor often-overlooked heroes who faced segregation and prejudice while helping to shape American history. Detroit officials envisioned the statue as a lasting tribute, celebrating Jefferson’s contributions to civil rights and education.
Jefferson’s granddaughter, Ernestine Lavergne, expressed her disappointment and sadness over the statue’s disappearance.
“This act of theft goes beyond vandalism; it is a loss to everyone who found meaning, connection, and pride in that statue and the heroic actions of the Tuskegee Airmen,” Lavergne said in a news release. “We ask that anyone with information come forward to help us restore this important symbol to its rightful place.”
Brantley was selected for the project after an open call reviewed by a community panel that included architects, artists, and historians. Known for work that intersects African and classical art traditions, Brantley created the statue to reflect Jefferson’s life as a figure of resilience and courage, embodying the spirit of the Tuskegee Airmen, who inspired civil rights advocates with their bravery and contributions.
“Whenever I make public work, it’s always gonna have something to do with Black history,” Brantley previously told Metro Times. “I always think about merging the past and the future and statues like this are for our ancestors to talk to their descendants. I wanna make sure I honor that and I also get to say something new and fresh. I’m really excited about it.”
The Detroit Police Department urges anyone with information about the statue’s disappearance to come forward as they work to recover the cherished symbol of Jefferson’s legacy.
On Friday, DPD said officers found security camera footage showing a rental truck leaving the park area. The officers were then able to track the rental using GPS, made two arrests, and recovered the statue, which was sawed off at its ankles.
If anyone has information on the statue, they are asked to call DPD’s 6th Precinct at 313-596-5640, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak Up, or DetroitRewards.tv.
This article has been updated with new information about the recovery of the statue.
