Lovell cemetery offers reward for information regarding recent vandalism

The Lovell Cemetery is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals found responsible for damage caused by a recent act of vandalism at the Lovell Cemetery. 

The incident was reported to the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Department on December 20 after a cemetery worker noticed someone had driven a vehicle through the cemetery the night before, driving over several flat headstones and knocking over a standing headstone, dragging it several feet from its original position on a grave. Tire tracks on the snow and grassy areas, along with surveillance video show evidence of the act of vandalism taking place over the course of several minutes the evening before the report was filed. 

A cemetery official who wished to remain anonymous said “the evidence makes it very clear it was not an accident.” He noted this is the first time in his 34 years of working at the cemetery he has seen this kind of damage caused by vandalism. Adding that it is heartbreaking for those who take care of the cemetery and for the loved ones of those graves affected.

In the meantime, the toppled headstone has been moved back to its original position, and the sheriff’s department has stepped up their regular surveillance and patrol of all cemeteries in the area. Any information regarding this incident should be directed to the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Department at 307-568-2324.