Local law enforcement officials will increase patrol near country legend Charlie Daniels’ gravesite after it was reportedly vandalized over the weekend.

The Charlie Daniels Band team took to social media to announce that an unnamed individual stole from the site and glued a spouse’s military ID to the marble of Danels’ marker. The incident prompted additional patrols of the area by the Mount Juliet (Tennessee) Police Department and plans to install video surveillance. The statement reads:

“Thanks to someone stealing a dogwood sapling & watering bag this weekend (seriously!) & someone gluing a spouse's military ID on the marble of Charlie's marker a few months ago, MJPD will be increasing patrols near his grave & video surveillance will soon be installed.”

The post from the Charlie Daniels Band team prompted comments from social media users expressing sadness and disbelief over the lack of respect for Daniels’ marker.

Daniels died at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee, nearly two years ago on July 6, 2020. He was 83. Daniels’ publicist confirmed in a statement at the time that the country music icon died after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. His loss prompted an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from fellow country artists, including Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Brad Paisley, Luke Combs and Dolly Parton, among many others. See his team’s update here:

Matt Appleby