Pryor Mayor To Cemetery Vandals: We’re Coming After You

Craig Day, News On 6

PRYOR, Oklahoma -- The reward is growing in a shocking case of vandalism in Pryor.

Vandals damaged 84 headstones at Fairview cemetery recently. The senseless act left not just damage, but a lot of heartache behind too.

12/06/2010 Related Story: Vandals Deface Headstones At Pryor Cemetery

Volunteers and city crews are trying to right a wrong, a wrong that has left many Pryor residents shocked and most of all sad.

"I think they need to get locked up for a long time," said volunteer Tommy Byrd.

Investigators believe it happened sometime late Sunday night or early Monday morning.

"It looked like a mine field all through here, like a war zone had gone off," said Dusty Hopper, Cemetery Manager.

With the help of volunteers and a couple of area monument companies, the cemetery was put back in order within a few hours.

But the disgust and disbelief of such a deplorable act will linger for some time.

"What kind of people would want to do this?" Pryor Mayor Jimmy Tramel asked.

While the city compiles a list of damaged headstones so people can find out if their loved ones' monument is damaged, a reward fund is growing to find who is responsible.

"They should be ashamed and I think their parents should get a hold of them," Hopper said.

Vandals who cared little about the damage, and even less about the heavy hearts they left behind.

"We're coming after you," Tramel said. "If we find you, we're going to prosecute you to the nth degree."

The vandals also caused up to $10,000 in damage to a building at Pryor's soccer complex.

So far, Stephens Memorial Chapel in Pryor has pledges totaling $2,700 for a reward for the arrest and conviction of the vandals.

Anyone with information that could help in the case is urged to call Pryor Police at 918-825-1212.