Police using video footage to determine cemetery vandals

WAXAHACHIE – The Waxahachie police are looking at video footage from this past weekend’s vandalism outbreak at the Waxahachie Cemetery.

Police believe the event took place between Saturday afternoon and Monday morning. More than 275 headstones were vandalized.

Grave stones had been tipped over and damaged; among the stones destroyed was a marker for Emory Rogers, one of the first settlers in the city.

In addition to Emory’s stone, other headstones too, were over 100 years-old dating back to the 1850s.

Due to the age of the gravestones, it is also harder for city staff to identify the owner in some cases.

Waxahachie city staff also discovered broken and tipped over stones in the newer area of the cemetery near Hawkins Street as well.

According to Lieutenant Chris Dickinson, Waxahachie Criminal Investigation Division, the Parks and Recreation Department is currently making a list of the stones that were damaged to be in touch with family members.

For questions regarding the gravestones, contact that department at (469) 309-4270.

As of this week, the Waxahachie police have made no arrests in the case, but are following a number of leads. Crimestoppers of Ellis County is also receiving tips regarding the vandalism.

To contact Crimestoppers of Ellis County and/or to make an anonymous tip, call (972) 937-7297.

Also contact the Waxahachie Police Department with information at (469) 309-4426, or email chuckabee@waxahachiepd.org.