14-year-old boy arrested after memorial in honor of Navy SEAL hero of Brookhaven, Long Island, vandalized

BROOKHAVEN, Long Island –

A 14 year old man was arrested following the destruction of a monument in honor of a Navy SEAL hero from Long Island.

The monument honoring the winner of the Medal of Honor Michael P. Murphy Brookhaven was vandalized on Thursday, police said.

Authorities said the suspect was arrested at his home in Ronkonkoma early Friday morning on charges of criminal mischief. He must appear in family court at a later date

Murphy received the highest decoration of the US Army for his heroic actions during the war in Afghanistan.

Murphy's father says that he does not believe the vandal includes

"Unfortunately, the stone is no longer there, but if you look at one of the places where he has struck, Michael was in the heart, which is like hitting the heart of America, "Daniel Murphy told me. "Michael was the kind of person who would have wanted to take this man under his wing and talk to him."

Murphy's mother said that she hoped someone spoke to the boy about what Lieutenant Murphy and his SEALS team did for the country. She would like the child to read the "Lone Survivor" book about her son's mission. The book was made in a film starring Mark Wahlberg.

"I lost Mike and when I saw that I had the impression of losing him again because, I know I was proud to come and see it."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued the following statement:

"Lieutenant Michael Murphy has served our country with extraordinary bravery, bravery and dignity, and we are all indebted to him, as well as to his family, of his sacrifice. the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest decoration of the army, for his actions in Afghanistan during Operation Red Wings on June 28, 2005, the first member of the Navy to receive the medal of honor since the Vietnam War. and honor his leadership and service, and desecrate this honor is beyond the pale.

"I am dismayed and disgusted by this apparent act of vandalism.The State of New York will fund the entire replacement of the plaque and hope it will bring comfort to its family and to The people of this state and nation have a debt of gratitude to Lieutenant Murphy, and I thank him personally for his service. "

The Murphy family said that they would be ready to meet the boy

did that, he is a child.He did something silly.Maureen Murphy said that a new plaque was already being prepared: the state of New York as well as Suffolk County and the City of Brookhaven have all offered to pay for the replacement.The city has said it has received so many donations from private citizens that it must determine who will pay the final payment.

A local company has also offered to set up surveillance cameras free to monitor the site.

Lieutenant-Colonel Michael P. Murphy Memorial, at Ronkonkoma Lake, is dedicated to his memory, on July 7, 2006, on the occasion of his 30th birthday