CUYAHOGA FALLS: A statue of Jesus meant to bring comfort to visitors of Oakwood Cemetery was found face-down and broken over the weekend.
The 5-foot statue, imported from Italy, is not the only victim of vandals in the city-owned cemetery.
Falls building and maintenance Superintendent Jeff Amburn said about 24 headstones have been toppled since April. Less than half have been reinstalled.
“We’re looking for help to fix the others,” Amburn said.
Few of the stones were broken or damaged when they were pushed over, Amburn said, but they are heavy, and the city doesn’t have the right equipment to move them properly.
“It’s difficult for my staff to do it,” Amburn said.
The statue, a fixture since 1972, suffered the most damage.
Amburn said a widow purchased the statue to be placed near her husband’s grave.
“She thought it would be a good thing, that whoever came by could find some comfort in the statue of Jesus,” he said.
The woman has since died and also is buried at the cemetery. Family members declined to be interviewed.
Falls Capt. Jack Davis said police have no suspects and no clues. Patrols around the cemetery have been increased, he said.
“It’s difficult,” he said. “We go in one entrance, they could run out the other. And there are lots of places to hide.”
Davis is asking anyone with information to call the detective bureau at 330-971-8334.
If anyone sees anything suspicious, call dispatch at 330-928-2181.
Gina Mace can be emailed at ginamace2@gmail.com.
