Posted at: 02/05/2013 6:44 PM

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Fallen Firefighter Memorial Vandalized

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- Disappointment Tuesday after the Rochester Fire Department discovers one of their memorials has been vandalized.

It's a memorial that honors two Rochester fire fighters that lost their lives trying to rescue a boy from Silver Lake.

Now it is marked with black spray paint. The most frustrating part, the same memorial was a target of vandals just months ago.

Each year the Rochester Fire Department gathers at this memorial to honor two fallen firefighters.

Through the years the memorial has come to mean much more,

"It means a lot to us, it's a brotherhood we watch each others backs we take care of each other," said Rochester Fire Captain Steggerda.

That is why it was so disappointing to see vandals have spray painted the memorial with harsh language.

"It's unfortunate, this is a memorial of course to remember a few of our members we've lost in the past," said Captain Steggerda.

Rochester police say the damage was done sometime between February first and the second.

"Officers responded to the scene and noted sever of the memorials spray painted with graffiti," said Rochester police Lieutenant Casey Moilanen.

The vandals didn't just target the part of the memorial that honors the two firefighters that died in a rescue mission in Silver Lake, but also a bench that honors more recent active fire fighters that have passed away.

"It's disappointing, these memorials are here for people who died, who gave back to the community and risked their lives to protect our community," said Lt. Moilanen.

This isn't the first time vandals have targeted this memorial.

"We've been through this before, just a few months ago the same thing happened, they were able to clean it up and take care of it, but it's unfortunate to see," said Captain Steggerda.

While the damage is disheartening and frustrating, the Rochester Fire Department says it makes them more sad for the person that did this.

"I just hope they get the help they need, and join us as a functioning member of society," said Captain Steggerda.

The Fire department said they do believe they will be able to clean up the memorial. They hope to do so as soon as possible.