‘We want it back’: Father of Bluffton teen asks for stolen memorial to be returned

BLUFFTON, S.C. (WTOC) - For years, the memorial for DJ Fields stood at the intersection of Bluffton Parkway and Flat Creek Drive in Bluffton, and it honored the life of a Fields who was killed in a mistaken identity case.

Between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, the memorial was stolen.

His father, Dwon, found out it was missing when he received a call from a family member saying they didn’t see it when they drove by.

“I felt crushed because it was up here for a couple of years now, and nobody bothered it,” DJ’s father, Dwon Fields Sr., said.

What once sat in the area was a large cross that was cemented several feet into the ground.

A place friends and family could go to honor DJ’s life.

“It was a way of providing us and even the family with some peace,” Bluffton Police Chief Joe Babkiewicz said. “The type of kid you want in our community, leading our community, and tragically, his life was taken way too soon.”

Now, a large hole surrounded by remnants of cement sits in the cross’s spot.

“We want it back. If you’re ashamed to show your face, call somebody or drop it somewhere, and we will come and get it,” Fields Sr. said.

Contractors and other groups that could have possibly taken it were called, but all those groups told police that they didn’t touch it.

Police say whoever did take it could face charges.

“They had permission to have it on the property, so it could be considered vandalism or theft of property,” Chief Babkiewicz said.

DJ’s father says that it was likely more than one person because of how big the cross was, and there was an over 200-pound bench next to it that was also taken.

“I feel it was malicious intent,” Fields Sr. said. “Some people took their time to do this. My family and my friends are already hurting enough, and for you to do something like this is senseless.”

Police say the cameras in the area didn’t help them a lot in their investigation, but there are cameras at both ends of Bluffton Parkway that may help.

They are also asking around to if someone associated with DJ’s murder has anything to do with this.

“There is so much good in this community, so many good people,” Chief Babkiewicz said. “The small evil that does exist will be drained out, and we will recover from this. Even if we have to build one ourselves, there will be something up here to remember DJ.”

If you have information that can lead to answers in this case, you are asked to call the Bluffton Police Department.

Then, while police search for the cross, community members are already starting to take steps to build a temporary cross that will sit here until the old cross is returned.