Vandals hit old Sitka cemetery 3rd time in recent weeks

ANCHORAGE — Vandals have struck a 200-year-old Russian Orthodox and Alaska Native cemetery in Sitka for the third time in recent weeks, toppling marble headstones weighing hundreds of pounds.

Some of the tombstones at the site date back to the 1800s. Between the three vandalism incidents at least 10 headstones sustained significant damage, Sitka police Lt. Lance Ewers said Tuesday. The latest vandalism occurred overnight Saturday and involved 25 tombstones.

“It’s so disheartening,” Ewers said. “It’s so disturbing.”

He was among police, firefighters, students from the Alaska State Troopers’ Sitka academy and others who turned out Monday night to put the headstones upright. People also quickly responded after the first two incidents, which were reported Sept. 13 and Sept. 22.

On Monday, cleanup participants also climbed trees to install new trail cameras. Ewers said older cameras had been installed after the second incident, but they were taken down after one of the cameras malfunctioned.

Bob Sam, the cemetery’s Tlingit caretaker, has tended to the 7-acre forested site for decades — three decades as an adult. He also spent about a decade as a child going there with his grandmother. At the time, she was unhappy with the condition of the cemetery, and he promised her he would take care of the site.

Sam, who also was among those putting things back in place Monday, said the community responding to help clean has been a positive. But he doesn’t understand the mindset of those responsible, how they could keep vandalizing the site repeatedly.

“I think there’s a lot of anger,” Sam said. “It’s a cemetery, and it’s violence toward the helpless.”

Police are offering a $200 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible, according to Ewers. The amount of the award could be increased later, he said.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears boys basketball team pose outside Kodiak High School during their sweep over the Bears this weekend. (Photo courtesy JDHS)
JDHS boys topple Kodiak on the road

Crimson Bears sweep island Bears in two-game series.

Aaron Surma, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Juneau and the Juneau Suicide Prevention Council, gives a solo testimony to the Juneau Board of Education on Feb. 6, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
On top of a flat-funded BSA, Juneau Board of Education considers loss of local funding and grants

Principals and mental health advocate give feedback as the Juneau School District plans FY26 budget.

Cars arrive at Juneau International Airport on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau’s airport asking long-ago manager Dave Palmer to return temporarily amidst leadership changes

Palmer would return in April as longtime manager retires; Assembly removes two airport board members.

Pittman’s Pub, which has a bar tent located next to the Hooter chairlift and Fish Creek Lodge, will not open this season, its co-owners told Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors Thursday. Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Pittman’s Pub owners say they won’t open at Eaglecrest this year due to cost, space difficulties

Couple says they would like to take over ski area’s restaurant, continue as a year-round operation.

The Alaska Senate unanimously approves a bill Friday rejecting a recommendation to adjust lawmakers’ salaries for inflation. (Official Alaska State Legislature livestream)
Alaska Senate unanimously rejects automatic salary hikes for top state officials

Commission recommendation for adjustments matching inflation takes effect unless lawmakers say no.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, Feb. 3, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read