Crime & Safety

Veteran's Grave Disturbed at Fort Snelling; Incident Under Investigation

Maintenance workers discovered the disturbed grave Thursday morning.

Editor's Note: The following is a Hennepin County Sheriff Office press release.

The Hennepin County’s Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs are investigating an incident in which a gravesite was significantly disturbed at the Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

This morning, a maintenance worker discovered that one gravesite had been disturbed.  A significant amount of ground and soil had been removed.  

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The decedent was a veteran of the World War II-era.  He had been buried at the cemetery in the 1970’s. His family has been contacted and the Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with the family.

“This is the final resting place and a place of honor for the men and women who have served our country,” said Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, “For anyone to desecrate a gravesite here, it is not only a disturbing crime, it is extremely disrespectful to all military veterans and their families.”  

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The person or persons responsible for this crime could face felony-level charges. Anyone with information is urged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 763-525-6216 or call 911. 


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