A South Carolina city, Tega Cay, is restoring a monument that includes an officer’s prayer after facing public criticism for initially removing it. The monument, located outside the new police department, was temporarily taken down due to concerns about the prayer’s reference to “Lord,” which some city leaders found potentially offensive.
The controversy began when the city edited the prayer, often referred to as “The Officer’s Prayer,” leading to immediate backlash from community members and supporters of law enforcement. Following the outcry, the city council reconsidered its decision.
“After careful consideration and much conversation with people on both sides of the discussion, City Council has made the decision that the Police Officer’s Prayer will be restored to its original condition and returned to the Fallen Officers’ Memorial located at the new police station,” the city of Tega Cay announced on social media.
The 4-foot stone monument was donated by the Women’s Club of Tega Cay and serves as part of a memorial dedicated to fallen officers. The city’s initial decision to alter the monument sparked a debate about religious expression and the role of faith in public spaces. The reversal indicates a response to public sentiment and a desire to honor the original intent of the memorial.
Greg Suskin’s Tweet captured the moment Tega Cay announced they would put the monument back outside of the police department in its original condition including the officers prayer.
The city’s full statement read:
After careful consideration and much conversation with people on both sides of the discussion, City Council has made the decision that the Police Officer’s Prayer will be restored to its original condition and returned to the Fallen Officers’ Memorial located at the new police station.
We want to thank everyone for voicing your opinion, as it’s not always easy to do so on such a sensitive subject. As Mr. Dunn stated before Council on July 15th, none of what has transpired was an attack on our Police Department or anyone’s faith. Our City Council and citizens have always been strong supporters of the men and women in blue. We’d like to thank Mr. Dunn and the others who spoke before Council. The respectful exchange of ideas and opinions is truly what makes local government extraordinary.
This was a tough week in Tega Cay. It is our hope that we can now move forward together and continue to be the strong, welcoming community that we have always been known for. Regardless of our different viewpoints, our people are what truly makes this City such a wonderful place.
Tega Cay is located in York County, South Carolina, west of Fort Mill and north of Rock Hill, and is considered a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina. The 2010 U.S. Census recorded the population at 7,621.