City officials said they expect repair work at Cross Creek Cemeteries One, Two, and Three to begin next week. They don't have an estimate on how much the repairs will cost.
"We're talking a considerable amount of money," said historian Bruce Daws, who is involved in the cleanup. "I just wouldn't want to venture a guess right now."
Earlier this week, the vandals ruined at least 100 tombstones, including those of some members of Bill McMillan's family.
"You're talking about grandparents and your father and somebody disrespecting them after, you know, my dad's been dead 30 years, my grandmother almost that long, my grandfather's been dead for 70 years. He didn't do anything to anybody," said McMillian.
The vandals even targeted the gravestones of children and a police officer killed in the line of duty.
Fred Smith went to the graveyard to see how his family fared. His relatives' tombstones were spared, but he still wanted the culprits brought to justice.
"Sick. Purely sick," said Smith.
Police are still looking for suspects. They were back on the scene Friday, taking photos and dusting for prints.
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
