The Jefferson Police Department is investigating a vandalism incident with the newly installed Freedom Rock.

Captain Heath Enns says just before 8:30am on Sunday, they received a call from the Greene County Fairgrounds Superintendent Gary Schultz about a bible verse being painted on the Freedom Rock, which is located north of the former Landus Cooperative grain elevator. The verse is from Matthew 5:9 from the Bible, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.”

Freedom Rock Committee member Dawn Rudolph says it was an oil-based paint that was used and it was cleaned off fairly quickly.

“This is a project that we want to do to honor our veterans and then for somebody to go and do the vandalism to the rock, it’s just very disappointing. I guess the good thing is it’s before the rock has been painted by Bubba (Sorenson).”

Artist Bubba Sorenson is scheduled to be in Jefferson next month to paint the rock. Rudolph adds that part of their plan is to install lighting and security cameras to hopefully prevent further incidents from happening.

“But that all takes funding. So hopefully, we got some grants that we’ve applied for and that will hopefully get us to that point.”

Donations can be made at People’s Trust and Savings Bank in Jefferson and checks can be made payable to the Greene County Freedom Rock.