The theft of the items only totals about $150 in value. Nevertheless, the crime is getting a lot of attention from police in Stillwater and comes with a plea from their comrades in St. Paul.
A Christmas tree and blue lights were stolen late last month from the Stillwater grave site of St. Paul police officer Josh Lynaugh, who had a heart attack and collapsed while chasing a juvenile on foot in February 2013.
The 4-foot-tall tree and lights were placed at Lynaugh's burial site in the middle of Fairview Cemetery by his parents, Tim and Lorilee. They put the cost at no more than $80 for the tree and $70 for the lights.
Tim Lynaugh, a retired St. Paul police sergeant, told authorities the crime occurred either late on Nov. 20 or early Nov. 21, given that people tend to the grave site daily.
Family members also say a trampled photo of the 30-year-old officer was left in the snow as was a discarded badge with his number, 686, on it. The cemetery caretaker says the grave of the five-year police veteran was the only one vandalized.
Stillwater police have granted the Lynaughs' request for extra patrols of the grave site.
Monday morning, in a tweet, St. Paul police said, "If you have info on the theft of a Xmas tree from Officer Lynaugh's grave site please call the Stillwater police."
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
