Cops: Man Destroys Memorial to Fallen 9/11 Officer
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Officials say a Turkish-born Muslim faces criminal mischief and disorderly conduct charges after he allegedly defaced a memorial in Queens that honored a fallen 9/11 NYPD officer.

The Queens DA says 26-year-old Adnan Emre of Long Island City tore off a cross on a portion of the memorial last night and shouted ``This is political!''

The memorial features a picture of Paul Talty, a 40-year-old officer who rushed to the World Trade Center's south tower as it fell. It also includes the cross, a plaque and crossed American and Irish flags.

The memorial is attached to a light post at 50th Avenue and Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City, and is maintained by Talty's family.

Authorities say an MTA booth clerk apparently witnessed the alleged act, and contacted police.

If convicted, Emre faces a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

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