Hiram, Ohio - The crime spoiled the dedication of a newly restored Garfield Meeting House on the campus of Hiram College.
In May when the building was officially dedicated, standing majestically next to it was a sandstone statue of President James A. Garfield, a former student, professor and president of the school.
Within 24 hours of the ceremony, sometime between 1am and 6am the following morning the statue's head vanished, vandals making a clean cut across the previously seamless sandstone neck to make off with the head.
"We originally thought it was a student prank because the day after that was commencement and we kind of thought that James A would make an appearance on commencement day" Hiram President Thomas Chema told Fox 8 news.
When it didn't immediately surface it seemed clear the crime was more than a senior prank.
For three months Hiram police got what Chief Mark Lombardi says were hundreds of leads, but nothing panned out until a person Chief Lombardi describes as a 'Good Samaritan' walked into the police department with the head.
On Tuesday the school again unveiled the near century old statue with the head solidly intact, re-attached by a sculptor who used metal bars to put it back on.
While the head was missing some students poked fun. During Halloween someone placed a pumpkin head of President Garfield on top of the headless statue, followed a short time later by a paper mache head of Garfield the Cat.
But students gathered for Tuesday's 'recapitation' ceremony say it was never really a laughing matter.
"As much as some people may see it as a prank there's nothing funny about this." said Senior Nadriena Damaris.
"Right after it happened it was kind of creepy seeing this ginormous statue of our past president without a head" added Leah Rectanus.
Chief Lombardi tells Fox 8 there now is a suspect, and the case is going before a Portage County Grand Jury to determine what charges will be filed. He declined to identify the suspect but Hiram's President says they do not suspect a student.
President Chema says the school has taken precautions in case there is a copy cat who wants to repeat the crime.
A mold has been made of the statue's head and Chema says a chip has been put inside the head to help them locate it if it ever vanishes again.
Hiram's Mayor, Lou Betrand, is also happy to see the head re-attached for the historic connection between the small community and a one time President of the United States who was assassinated while in office.
"The statue reminds us of the responsibility we bear each day" said Betrand, " to be law abiding, responsible and ethical citizens."
In May when the building was officially dedicated, standing majestically next to it was a sandstone statue of President James A. Garfield, a former student, professor and president of the school.
Within 24 hours of the ceremony, sometime between 1am and 6am the following morning the statue's head vanished, vandals making a clean cut across the previously seamless sandstone neck to make off with the head.
"We originally thought it was a student prank because the day after that was commencement and we kind of thought that James A would make an appearance on commencement day" Hiram President Thomas Chema told Fox 8 news.
When it didn't immediately surface it seemed clear the crime was more than a senior prank.
For three months Hiram police got what Chief Mark Lombardi says were hundreds of leads, but nothing panned out until a person Chief Lombardi describes as a 'Good Samaritan' walked into the police department with the head.
On Tuesday the school again unveiled the near century old statue with the head solidly intact, re-attached by a sculptor who used metal bars to put it back on.
While the head was missing some students poked fun. During Halloween someone placed a pumpkin head of President Garfield on top of the headless statue, followed a short time later by a paper mache head of Garfield the Cat.
But students gathered for Tuesday's 'recapitation' ceremony say it was never really a laughing matter.
"As much as some people may see it as a prank there's nothing funny about this." said Senior Nadriena Damaris.
"Right after it happened it was kind of creepy seeing this ginormous statue of our past president without a head" added Leah Rectanus.
Chief Lombardi tells Fox 8 there now is a suspect, and the case is going before a Portage County Grand Jury to determine what charges will be filed. He declined to identify the suspect but Hiram's President says they do not suspect a student.
President Chema says the school has taken precautions in case there is a copy cat who wants to repeat the crime.
A mold has been made of the statue's head and Chema says a chip has been put inside the head to help them locate it if it ever vanishes again.
Hiram's Mayor, Lou Betrand, is also happy to see the head re-attached for the historic connection between the small community and a one time President of the United States who was assassinated while in office.
"The statue reminds us of the responsibility we bear each day" said Betrand, " to be law abiding, responsible and ethical citizens."
