Waxahachie city leaders have revealed the worst case of vandalism the city has ever seen, with hundreds of gravestones destroyed at the Waxahachie City Cemetery.
According to the Waxahachie Police Department, city officials were alerted to the vandalism at the century-old cemetery on Hawkins Street at about 9 a.m. on February 28.
Waxahachie police said approximately 275 gravestones were damaged or tipped over.
“This is by far the worst case of vandalism we have seen in the City Cemetery,” said Gumaro Martinez, Executive Director of Parks and Leisure Services. “Many of the markers that were affected are very old, and repairs will be difficult and costly.” According to CBS 11 News, the cemetery was established in the 1850s, and most of the gravestones destroyed were over 100 years old, meaning repairs would be difficult and expensive.
Peggy Crabtree, Waxahachie City Cemetery Chairman, told CBS 11 News that the destruction done to the cemetery is “truly devastating.”
“It looks almost like a tornado went through the cemetery,” Crabtree said.
However, work to repair the damage done to the cemetery has begun, with many businesses and residents expressing their desire to help rebuild the graveyard, according to a statement on the city’s website.
Waxahachie Communications Director Amy Borders told CBS 11 News that officials are still trying to figure out the best way to repair the damages done to the cemetery.
Borders added that officials are following the advice of experts to determine the best way to repair the gravestones.
The city revealed that investigators have now determined that the damages occurred in the afternoon of February 26 and before 8 a.m. on February 28.
Police encourage anyone with tips to contact the department at 469-309-4426 or send an email to [email protected].
