TEGA CAY, S.C. -- City leaders in Tega Cay have removed a memorial to fallen police officers at the police department after backlash from those both in support of and against a biblical message on the monument.

• A police monument has been removed in Tega Cay after backlash from both sides of a controversy.
• They initially removed the word "Lord" from the monument, but they said that action "seemed to further divide people on both sides."
• Now, the monument is gone as they "continue to seek a solution that expresses our unwavering support..." 

The city removed it because some in the community were upset that the word “Lord” was found written on the stone three times.

The city originally just decided to remove the word from the monument but that action seemed to further divide people on both sides of the issue, with many taking to social media to express their opinions.

"It's a topic that I think both sides are passionate about, no doubt about it. We messed up. It didn't have the effect that we hoped that it would have,” said Charlie Funderburk, Tega Cay city manager.

A statement on the city's Facebook page says in part, "We attempted to find a compromise but failed as our community has further divided. At this time, we have removed the monument while we continue to seek a solution that expresses our unwavering support and gratitude to those who risk their lives every day for ours."

A group said they planned to host a prayer at the monument on Saturday in response to all the backlash, but there's no word on whether the group still plans to hold the gathering.