The vandalism occurred days after Pope Benedict XVI, the leader of Roman Catholics, drew anger from many Muslims over remarks made in a speech. Also, the Knights of Columbus donated the statue more than 30 years ago in memory of aborted pregnancies, according to the Rev. Jesudoss Thomas, the chapel minister. He said he hopes the statue's vandalism was not tied to any statement, and no group has claimed responsibility for the vandalism.

Local residents were outraged by the destruction.

"If I caught him, he'd be dead, the bastard!" fumed Tom Ledden, 71, a long-time Long Island City resident and military veteran.

Sung Park, owner of a deli across the street from Talty's memorial, said he fondly remembers the cop as a friendly, regular customer: "I only have good memories of him," he said.