Vandals Strike Craig County Cemetery, Cause 'Extensive' Damage

Vandals struck a rural Craig County Cemetery over the weekend.

The Sheriff says the White Oak Cemetery and the church on the lot have been targeted before. But he calls this damage "extensive." And the community calls it "disrespectful."

It's peaceful, rural cemetery. A quiet final resting place for loved ones. But the serenity was shaken when vandals struck.

Sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, more than two dozen headstones were destroyed.

Some of the gravestones have lasted decades, only to be cracked and fractured as someone's source of entertainment.

The headstones are heavy and solid. The sheriff says the vandals had to use some sort of crowbar or tool to break them off the foundation and knock them over.

Craig County Sheriff Jimmie Sooter says the destruction didn't just stop at the cemetery.

"Usually alcohol is involved. There have been parties out here in the past. In fact, along this road there we had a lot of mailboxes that were bashed too that same night.

Charles Livingston has family buried in the cemetery. Just four months ago, he buried his wife.

"They are idiots. I'm angry, frustrated. I mean this isn't the first time, it won't be the last," Livingston said.

The community says they'll fix what's broken and find those responsible.

"To stop something like this is pretty much impossible. I think the punishment should fit the crime," Sheriff Sooter said.

But the damage has been done.

"That we aren't safe in our own homes. I mean, this was the communities' home. They all come here," Livingston said.

Sheriff Sooter says he isn't sure how much it will cost to repair or replace the broken headstones.

He says they've had several tips with information about the vandalism and if those tips check out, it could lead to more than one arrest.