Nappanee’s wooden eagle statue damaged by vandals, police say

Nappanee police believe vandals are to blame for a wing being knocked off a beloved 9-foot-tall wooden eagle that had been carved from a tree outside the city’s post office.

Nappanee Police Chief Steve Rulli told The Elkhart Truth that evidence indicates someone jumped on the eagle. He says it probably didn’t take much because there appeared to be dry rot in the wood. Rulli also says the city hadn’t received high enough winds that would cause that kind of damage.

Police posted a photo of the damage discovered Tuesday on the department’s Facebook page and asked the public for tips on what happened.

Postmaster Steve Brooks says he plans to contact the person who created the eagle to see if it can be repaired.