By KING 5 News KGW-TV updated 39 minutes ago 2012-02-16T16:18:23 Print Font: + - SEATTLE - Sheriff's officials say Crime Stoppers has purchased plots in a Puyallup cemetery on either side of the Powell boys, to make sure their killer isn't buried next to them.
Crime Stoppers of Tacoma-Pierce County has purchased the plots surrounding Charlie and Braden Powell's place of rest to create a memorial site for the boys. Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor did not want to wait to act. He used some of his own money, along with funds from the non-profit crime stoppers to purchase the plots. "It struck me that when you kill two little kids, you should not get the dignity of being buried beside them," he said in an interview late Tuesday. "Their murderer should not get that dignity," he added
The family of Josh Powell wants him buried in a plot near the sons he killed. They visited Woodbine Cemetery Tuesday to pick out prospective plots for his burial. “They have to know that this is extraordinarily offensive to the Cox family and that the Cox family is not going to stand for the murderer to be buried next to the victim,” said Steve Downing, Cox family attorney. Powell killed his two sons -- Braden, 5, and Charlie, 7 -- on Feb. 5, then set his rented house on fire. The Powells - who could not be reached for comment - at first showed interest in the grave right beside the kids. According to Puyallup City Manager Ralph Dannenberg, who is in charge of the cemetery, the plot was not available because of old water lines below.
What was available was a plot just directly uphill in the line of sight from the grave of the children. Hearing the Powell family wanted to move quickly, the caretaker dug the grave for Josh Powell on Wednesday morning.
At first Dannenberg thought they could not be refused. “We're a municipal cemetery, it's a slippery slope, we certainly want to respectful of anyone who needs our service at this time,” he said. Then the city decided to hold off and let a judge decide after hearing the Cox family attorneys are going to court to stop it.
Anne Bremner, an attorney for the boy's maternal grandparents, told KING 5 the grandparents are filing a restraining order on Thursday.
Listeners of News Talk 97.3 KIRO FM's Ron and Don show started pledging money to cover the cost of the plots. “When we heard this story at 3 p.m. today, we felt compelled to stop this tragedy from happening,” said Don O’Neill. “So, we asked our KIRO listeners to help us raise the funds to reimburse ‘Crime Stoppers of Tacoma-Pierce County,’” added Ron Upshaw. “And, they did in a big way!” By late Tuesday, $20,000 had been raised, the station announced in a news release.
Donations are being accepted to help pay for the memorial site. Send your check or cash donation to Crime Stoppers of Tacoma-Pierce County at 6824 19th St. W. #139 in University Place, WA 98466. www.crimestoppers.com Any donations received over the cost of the memorial site will go toward beautification of the site and toward supporting other victims of crime in the community. KING 5's Jim Forman & Elisa Hahn contributed to this report. Sponsored links
I think Josh Powells' family should find a completely different location to bury him... what do you think?
I read in an article earlier today (link) that it was Josh Powell's mother, not the entire family, who had planned to have him buried in the same cemetery as the boys. In fact, the rest of the Powell family talked her out of those plans. He is now going to be buried in another cemetery.
I am glad that not all of his family are so callous as to have him buried next to those poor little boys. I've hreard of adding insult to injury, but this is way beyond that.
Quoting taniamorse85:
I read in an article earlier today (link) that it was Josh Powell's mother, not the entire family, who had planned to have him buried in the same cemetery as the boys. In fact, the rest of the Powell family talked her out of those plans. He is now going to be buried in another cemetery.
Not sure how to keep my kids busy this summer, need advice! PIOG
- nybor48
on Feb. 16, 2012 at 12:05 PM