Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico and Councilman Neil Foley have called on residents to assist in identifying three young males suspected of vandalizing the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park at Lake Ronkonkoma. The incident, which involved graffiti and the spray painting of a security camera, occurred on the night of September 2 after 8:00 pm. The suspects were seen driving a dark-colored sedan of an unknown make and model.
Lt. Michael P. Murphy, a Navy SEAL from Patchogue, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during a firefight in Afghanistan in 2005. The memorial park dedicated to him was rededicated on January 17, 2019, with his father Dan Murphy and members of the Brookhaven Town Board leading the ceremony.
The etched stone monument at the site was donated by Lido Stone of Calverton after the original was destroyed by vandals in July 2018. Additionally, two surveillance cameras and security lights were installed with assistance from Penn Globe to monitor activities in the park.
Anyone with information regarding this recent act of vandalism is urged to contact Officer Eustache at Suffolk County Police Department’s 4th Precinct Crime Control Section at (631) 854-8400.