x
Breaking News
More () »

Veteran's headstone stolen from Noonday Cemetery

The Smith County Sheriff's office is asking for the public's help in finding the person(s) responsible for the theft of a headstone from the Noonday Cemetery. The headstone belongs to a veteran of World War II and the Korean War.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff's Office is searching for a headstone that was stolen from the historic Noonday Cemetery located off Highway 155 South.

"His tombstone has been out there since 1985 without any issues," says Sgt. Nikki Keegan.

According to the Smith County Sheriff's Office, the headstone belongs to Earl Dean Murray (April 26, 1926 - June 22, 1985). His family reported the brass gravestone marker as stolen at the end of September.

"It being an older cemetery, it's been hard getting in hold of the caretaker, so I have been trying to reach out to him to see what other measures we can do so we're in the process of that."

Born in Noonday Texas, Murray registered for the draft while living in Tyler. According to the headstone, he was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He rose to the rank Master Sergeant. He died in 1985 at 59 years old.

Sergeant Keegan says there's reason to believe the material of the headstone may be why it was stolen.

"It's believed that the headstone was taken, because it's copper to scrap it," says Keegan. "I don't know any other reason why anyone would take it."

It wouldn't be the first time thieves struck at a cemetery for that exact purpose. In 2015, at least 12 brass headstones were stolen from veterans' graves from two Wood County cemeteries.

"If somebody has been carrying a tombstone around in the back of their truck or car, that's not a common thing," says Keegan. "Right now, we don't have any suspects or witnesses because it's a secluded area."

Sergeant Keegan says Murray’s family is working with the local veteran affairs' office to hopefully replace the headstone. With Veterans Day six days away, there's hope that happens sooner than later.

If you have any information regarding the stolen headstone, you are urged to call the sheriff's office at 903-590-2646.

Before You Leave, Check This Out