Vandals knock over dozens of head stones in Mount Vernon Cemetery

Approximately 55 graves were vandalized at the Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery, says Police Chief Mark Winder.

Many of the gravestone were knocked over and cracked sometime between June 28 and July 8 of this year, said Winder, as he stood on the hallowed grounds.

He says police are investigating the incident, but do not have any suspects.

About 35 people, including 14 members of the Cornell College football team, were at the cemetery Tuesday, repairing the graves. Football players and coaches walked row upon row to fix disturbed headstones. Sometimes a backhoe was brought in to move dirt around the graves. The volunteers also used caulk to piece a few memorial stones back together.

A victim of the crime talked to the police chief and volunteers earlier in the night. “She showed us her husband's stone that was damaged, and I think so far the guys have fixed it as much as they can,” said Winder.

C.J McDonald, a running back for the football team, came out to help on the hot night. It was disturbing that vandalism occurred in a place where the dead should be able to peacefully rest, he said. “It's vandalism to it's highest,” said McDonald.

The volunteer support allowed the city to put a big dent in the damage done by the vandals, said Winder. “The three or four of us from the police department would probably be here a whole lot longer (without the support),” said Winder.