Four years after a vandalism spree violated Cambridge City’s earliest cemetery, police haven’t announced any arrests for that crime.
On April 1, 2022, police and two of the volunteers who had spent years working to preserve Cambridge City’s earliest public cemetery walked through a scene of chaotic destruction in what could only be called stunned disbelief.
Tombstones and memorials at Capitol Hill Cemetery, some weighing several hundred pounds, had been smashed, toppled and thrown around as if by an earthquake.
The cemetery is the final resting place for many of the western Wayne community’s ancestors, including Civil War veterans.
Cambridge City Police Department later speculated that the damage at the isolated pioneer cemetery could have been done a few days before being discovered. The cemetery’s security has been enhanced, but donations could purchase additional protection.
The damage was especially heartbreaking for the Restoration in Peace volunteer group led by Aleesa and Greg Drennen. They’d spent six years cleaning and restoring more than 250 Capitol Hill tombstones and raising money for ongoing upkeep before the vandalism occurred.
Although town government is responsible for the cemetery, its funds are limited, and expertise is needed to preserve and repair stones.
After the vandalism, Western Wayne Heritage turned over about $20,000 of its funds earmarked for the cemetery to town officials. Additional notable donations came from organizations including American Legion Post 169 ($7,000) and Cub Scouts Pack 6 ($1,000).
With those funds, the town hired a cemetery restoration specialist to repair as much damage as possible. Most work was completed in 2023, although some repairs continued.
Based on the amount of damage found, especially to extremely heavy stones, the restoration specialist told WWN that he believed more than one person was involved, and they spent several hours committing the crime.
Donors can send contributions toward security improvements and other maintenance for Capitol Hill or the town’s currently used Riverside Cemetery noting their purpose to Clerk-Treasurer Sherry Ervin at the City Building, 127 N. Foote St., Cambridge City, IN 47327.
To share information with CCPD about the crime, call 765-478-1231 or email cambridgecitypolice@hotmail.com.
Tips also may be submitted online through Wayne County Sheriff’s Office at sheriff.co.wayne.in.us/submitATip.
A version of this article appeared in the April 8 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.