Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse on Thursday defended police officers involved in a Memorial Day dispute over a mistaken case of "stolen valor."

Papenfuse said he regretted that a U.S. Army veteran accused Robert Ford, 75, of falsely claiming to be a Marine by wearing a dress blue uniform to ArtsFest in Harrisburg. But the mayor said that his officer acted "appropriately," when the officer questioned Ford about his service.

Papenfuse said the Army veteran demanded that Detective John O'Connor investigate whether Ford was impersonating a Marine for profit, which is illegal.

"It is unfortunate that Mr. Ford was wrongly accused," Papenfuse said, according to a news release. "But our initial findings indicate police officers acted appropriately and respectfully in this incident."

The mayor's new release issued about 6 p.m. Thursday addressed allegations made by Ford and published in a story on PennLive Thursday morning.

Ford said the officer questioned him initially about his unit and job in the Marines as he shopped, then returned a second time, demanding to know where he went to boot camp.

That's when Ford said he used an expletive and told the officer to leave him alone. Ford said the officer took a few steps back and yelled that, "he can't tell me where he went to boot camp. Stolen Valor!" Ford also said the officer and soldier followed him when he tried to walk away.

Papenfuse's news release did not detail specific actions by the officer, but the mayor said he believed the officer's actions were appropriate.

The release said Ford became hostile and demanded that O'Connor contact his police supervisor so that he could lodge a complaint.

O'Connor brought Ford to his supervisor, Capt. Deric Moody, who was stationed at Front and State Streets, to lodge his complaint. Moody spoke to both the Army and Marine veterans and attempted to diffuse tensions, Papenfuse said.

Moody said Ford's main complaint was that the police officer "embarrassed him," according to the news release. But Ford did not complain of any physical or verbal abuse, Papenfuse said.

"This is an example of police acting appropriately to do their job," Papenfuse said. "Both Captain Moody and Detective O'Connor made reasonable inquiries based upon a citizen's complaint."

O'Connor and Moody were both Marines, Papenfuse said.

Papenfuse said police were investigating Ford's accusations against the officer.

"I want to reiterate our thanks to all veterans for their service to our country," Papenfuse said, according to the release, "and I represent our entire city in expressing profound appreciation for everything our veterans have done to guard our freedom."