Tombstones were toppled as vandals entered the Eureka Cemetery and pushed over numerous stones. DAILY SUN photo/KIRK SIDES

7/19/2003 VANDALS HIT EUREKA CEMETERY: Reward offered for information about crime

By MICAH CHAPLIN/Daily Sun Staff

The Eureka Cemetery Association is offering a $100 reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest of individual(s) responsible for the destruction of 18 headstones.

"It's very disappointing that someone would do this," Robert Boyd, of the ECA, said. "Sadly, it occurs in all cemeteries at one time or another."

In fact, this is the second time the Eureka Cemetery has been vandalized. Boyd says the last incident happened five years ago.

"The cemetery is southeast of Eureka and a few miles off Highway 287," Boyd said. "It's fairly secluded, which unfortunately makes us susceptible to vandalism."

Deputy Morris Steward reported that there have been at least two similar incidents in the county in recent years, involving the Oakwood and Blooming Grove cemeteries.

"These things are so random, but common," Steward said. "Kids see it as an opportunity to do something."

According to Bill Chandler, president of the ECA, a local resident alerted him of the damage after driving by the Eureka Cemetery Wednesday morning. The incident had occurred sometime between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.

"It was probably multiple individuals," Steward said. "They came in from the South end, where the most damage was found. They'd knocked over eight or nine in that area, then they did a u-turn. The further they got toward the exit, the less damage they did."

Chandler and Steward both believe teenagers to be responsible. Though fingerprints could not be taken, Steward says he will continue to investigate.

"We're just going to talk to a lot of people," Steward said. "It's only a matter of time before we get this wrapped up. Everything will come to light."

Chandler and Steward also believe the headstone destruction is related to another incident that happened during the same time period.

"A man down the road from me had his gates taken off the hinges," Chandler said.

Both events are categorized as criminal mischief, but the destruction of the headstones falls under a special section. In fact, the offense used to be listed separate, as destruction of a venerated object, but in recent years it has been moved to section L under criminal mischief.

"It is a state jail felony to damage a place of worship, a place of burial, a community center or a place that offers medical services," Steward said. "So whoever did this is in a whole lot of trouble."

Steward says community cooperation will be key in solving this case and those in the future.

"Hopefully people will begin to keep an eye on these cemeteries and alert us of suspicious activity, particularly during the late hours since that's when most of this happens," he said. "I highly doubt people entering the cemeteries at midnight are there to visit their departed loved one."

Anyone with information in this case is encouraged to contact Bill Chandler at (903) 874-8084.

Micah Chaplin may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected]

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Crimestoppers

The Navarro County Crimestoppers' organization has made the Eureka Cemetery vandalism its "Crime of the Week."

In addition to the cemetery association's $100 reward, Crimestoppers will pay up to a $1,000 for any information that leads to an arrest and grand jury indictment in this crime or any other felony crime.

Anyone with any information should call Crimestoppers at 903-874-TIPS (8477).

You do not have to give your name.