'Cowardly:' Vallejo police union upset vandals smashed billboard honoring officers

VALLEJO, Calif. - Police in Vallejo are looking for the people who destroyed a memorial for two officers who died.

Someone smashed a billboard that honored two Vallejo police officers killed in the line of duty.

Jeff Azuar, a 21-year VPD veteran, was shot and killed while serving a warrant on April 12, 2000. He was 50.

Jim Capoot was shot and killed following a foot chase of a bank robbery suspect on Nov. 17, 2011. He was 43 and, like Azuar, served 21 years with the VPD and was a veteran. 

Jamie Capoot Trujillo, one of the slain officer's three daughters, told KTVU, "Sadly, I don't think we were too surprised, with the state that we're in right now."

She had this to say to whoever was responsible: "We pray for you, you know, it would be an awful feeling to have that much hate in your heart to dishonor two wonderful men. I can assure you that our side is doing all we can to be better people, better humans."

Vallejo police Lt. Michael Nichelini, president of the police officers union said, "It's truly despicable and disgusting. To trample on anybody's who's deceased, let alone a police officer who's serving his community and dies in the line of duty, I don't fathom what goes on in people's mind."

The billboard is on Rollingwood Drive near Skyview Memorial Lawn Cemetery.

In a statement, Police Chief Shawny Williams said, "This intentional act of vandalism is unacceptable and is not a First Amendment right. Our department is currently investigating the matter."

The union said it is working with community leaders to restore it.