A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for vandalizing the historic Logan Junior High School.
Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry and District Attorney Champ Crocker announced the reward this week following what they described as extensive damage to the former school building. The school served the Logan area for more than 80 years before closing in 2006.
Social media photos shared online have shown damage both inside and outside the facility.
“The vandalism and destruction of the historic Logan Junior High School is repulsive, shocking and beyond words of why anyone would choose to carry out such vandalism,” Gentry and Crocker said in a joint statement.
After the school closed, community members formed the Logan Preservation Foundation in 2008 to preserve the building and keep it available for public use.
The building, which is leased from the Cullman County Board of Education, hosts reunions, musical events, sports activities and other public gatherings. Classrooms are also available for volunteer fire department and rescue squad training, as well as activities for senior citizens.
According to the foundation, donations, fundraisers, rental fees and grants help support ongoing efforts to maintain and improve the building and grounds.
Sheriff Gentry encouraged anyone with information about the vandalism to contact investigators.
“I encourage anyone with any tips on this case to call the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office immediately. We take this level of vandalism to property very seriously and we will work all leads and tips until there is a successful conclusion to this case,” Gentry said.
Crocker said those responsible should turn themselves in before investigators identify them through tips.
“Anyone who played any part in this vandalism should turn themselves in to the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office immediately. If they don’t turn themselves in I am confident with this amount of reward money being offered someone will come forward with a tip that leads to an arrest or multiple arrests. I look forward to prosecuting them when that happens,” Crocker said.
Anyone with information about the case can contact the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office at 256-734-0342. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the Nixle Anonymous Tip link on the sheriff’s office website.
Sherri Blevins is a reporter for 256 Today.
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