Stolen officer memorial crosses found

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Several memorial crosses, including two dedicated to fallen police officers, were found gathered in a woody area of Pungo Tuesday evening. 

10 On Your Side first reported Monday a cross honoring Virginia Beach police office  Rodney Pocceschi was stolen. Pocceschi was killed during a shootout in 2003 on Dam Neck Road near London Bridge Road. 

An anonymous caller contacted WAVY.com Tuesday about other memorial crosses missing in Virginia Beach, including Norfolk police officer Victor Decker's cross. Decker was off-duty when he was killed in 2010.

The caller said he is a secularist and should not have to be subjected to what some see as a religious symbol. 

The man contacted WAVY.com again Tuesday evening, noting the crosses were located on the road close to a Pungo restaurant. 

Several crosses were found and several police officers were at the scene Tuesday evening investigating.

In Virginia Beach, anyone can put up a roadside memorial as long as it is not a danger to others. Even though it is on public property, stealing these memorials is a crime.  However, police say they need a report that the cross is missing for them to take action.

The Virginia Department of Transportation will install a roadside memorial at the cost of the requester. The sign will stay up on the right shoulder for two years, but not longer.