By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
OZARK— The story is as bizarre as it is heartless. Funeral homes exist to provide compassion, dignity, and care during some of life’s most difficult moments. But in Ozark, that sacred responsibility has been disrupted by an unsettling crime that few in the profession can recall ever seeing.
Someone has stolen specialized mortuary stretchers from two local funeral homes, taking equipment designed not for profit or convenience, but to respectfully care for the deceased and serve grieving families. The thefts have left funeral directors frustrated, puzzled, and searching for answers as police work to identify those responsible.
Ozark police are investigating after one specialized stretcher was stolen from Holman Funeral Home and another disappeared from Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home. Funeral home representatives estimate the combined value of the missing equipment at approximately $15,000.
Unlike standard medical stretchers, the missing equipment is specifically engineered for the dignified and safe transportation of those who have died. Funeral homes depend on the specialized stretchers when responding to hospitals, nursing homes, private residences, and other locations where families call upon them during times of loss.
According to Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Director John Cawley, surveillance cameras captured a vehicle entering the funeral home’s parking lot before an individual removed a stretcher from one of the company’s vans, all within just about two minutes. Cawley said the theft occurred only minutes after he had left the property. The theft occurred about two weeks ago, so if anyone
What stood out most to Cawley was how easily the suspect handled the equipment.
The Chronicle spoke with Cawley about the theft, and he told us that, rather than struggling with its operation, the individual appeared to know exactly how the specialized stretcher worked, raising questions about whether the thief had previous experience with mortuary equipment.
“I believe this may be an organized series of crimes,” Cawley said, also pointing out that the nature of the theft leads him to believe it may be an individual or even a group of thieves who have had experience in such thefts.
Cawley also wanted to express gratitude and praise to the Dale County Sheriff’s Office and Ozark Police Department for “their hard work on this. I believe they are close to solving this, and they have worked really hard on this case,” he said.
Meanwhile, at Holman Funeral Home, employees realized their stretcher was missing while preparing to respond to a death call in Eufaula on July 23. After checking with staff members and searching locations where it might have been left, they concluded it had been stolen and notified law enforcement.
The Chronicle also spoke with Holman Funeral Home Director Ian Hudspeth, the son-in-law of owner Bill Sullivan, about the impact this has had on their business, and when asked what he would say to the person or persons responsible for the theft, he said,
“Why would you do this? The main thing I want to know is why you would do such a thing.”
Hudspeth also elaborated on how the theft has impacted Holman Funeral Home’s work.
“This has impacted our operations, but we are always prepared for the worst-case scenario with backup equipment. However, the specialized equipment stolen was the main equipment we use when we arrive at a family’s home who has entrusted us to care for their loved one. This equipment is necessary in the performance of our duties to families.”
Beyond the estimated $15,000 financial loss, the thefts have created practical challenges. Specialized mortuary stretchers are expensive pieces of equipment and are essential to a funeral home’s daily operations. Replacing them can take time, potentially affecting how quickly funeral homes can respond until new equipment is obtained.
Cawley believes the same person or group may be responsible for both thefts. He is urging whoever took the stretchers to return them and is asking residents to remain alert, secure their property, and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
The Ozark Police Department continues to investigate the incidents. Anyone with information about the thefts is encouraged to contact the Ozark Police Department. If the thief responsible suddenly develops a heart or active conscience, they can simply do the right thing and return them.
Hudspeth also expressed his appreciation for the hard work and dedication of local law enforcement, adding, “We are so fortunate to have the law enforcement here. They kept us informed every step of the way, and they have been great.”
Hudspeth also added the funeral home will be increasing security measures to prevent this from happening again and urged other local businesses to remain vigilant.
For the funeral directors who have devoted their careers to serving families with dignity and respect, the thefts represent more than the loss of expensive equipment. They are a violation of a profession built on trust, compassion, and reverence for the deceased, making the crimes as disturbing as they are heartless.
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT LOCAL JOURNALISM
At the Dale County Chronicle, we believe everyone deserves access to free, independent, and trustworthy local news. That’s why we will never put our news behind a paywall or charge fees to read the news.
Keeping our news free, however, isn’t free to produce. Every story requires time, resources, travel expenses, equipment, and a commitment to serving our community.
If you value our reporting, please consider making a donation by contacting us at [email protected] or by calling (334) 955-9525. Your support helps us continue providing high-quality local journalism free of charge for everyone.
Become a Monthly Supporter and Chronicle Champion:
For $25.99 per month, you can help sustain the Chronicle’s independent reporting while receiving exclusive benefits.
Chronicle Champions receive our exclusive weekly newsletter, featuring:
A recap of the week’s top headlines, including exclusive content not published.
Exclusive stories and articles not published on our website.
A detailed sports section.
An arts and culture corner.
A Fun Puzzle Page that will challenge your brain!
A calendar of events and activities happening across the Wiregrass.
Early access to exclusive audio or video interviews with community leaders, residents with compelling stories, and other special features.
For more information about becoming a monthly supporter, email us at [email protected].
Businesses Can Help, Too
Support local journalism while promoting your business. We offer affordable advertising on our news website and social media platforms, with packages to fit a variety of budgets.
To learn more about advertising, contact us at [email protected].
Thank you for supporting independent local journalism and helping us keep local news free for everyone.
