Suspicious Activity / Marker in Cemetery

DATE & TIME: 12-05-2018 @ 1300 hours

LOCATION: Liberty Cemetery

OFFENSE: Suspicious Activity / Marker in Cemetery

CASE #: 2018-6053

Board members of the Liberty Cemetery notified the Gage County Sheriff’s Office of an unauthorized dig at the Liberty Cemetery west of Liberty, Nebraska.

Deputies and an investigator from the Gage County Sheriff’s Office, after obtaining guidance from the Gage County Attorney’s Office proceeded to the cemetery, met with the board members from the cemetery, and were shown the site, which was a small marker on a freshly dug site. The marker consisted of a wooden cross with the word “FAITH” etched into wood the horizontally. There were also two metal poles on each side of the arms of the cross and tangled garden wire on each arm for decoration.

The board members state the marker was not authorized, was at the location of a purchased, but unoccupied plot, and appears to have been placed there recently. They also stated it was placed there sometime in the past month, but due to the recent snowfall, it appears to have been recent activity, possibly within the past week.

The investigator and deputy dug at the site, however the only items in the ground were a couple books, a concrete base about the size of a coffee can, and some children’s toys. No human or animal remains were found.

The Liberty Cemetery Board does not wish to pursue any charges, however they expressed concern that someone would have placed a marker on a plot owned by someone else. The board members expressed a desire to help anyone who might be in need of assistance regarding funeral arrangements.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone with information on this case contact the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and speak with a deputy or investigator. Information can be forwarded anonymously, if desired.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310