MEAD, Wash. — The Praying Cowboy is on his way back to Creston, thanks to a Spokane woman who found the stolen statue during her evening stroll.
The Copenhaver Praying Cowboy statue was stolen from its perch along Highway 2 near Creston on Nov. 30, where it had watched over travelers at the roadside prayer chapel, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.
Its whereabouts were unknown until Tuesday morning when a Spokane woman contacted the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. According to Lincoln County Sherriff Wade Magers, the statue was located behind a Yoke's Fresh Market in Mead, Washington.
The Praying Cowboy Statue is reported to be worth $35,000. It is dedicated to Deb Copenhaver, a celebrated Saddle Bronc Rider from Wilbur, Washington. The statue was made by his daughter.
The woman said she was out for a walk Monday evening when she noticed the statue. At the time she said it appeared to be a dumped wheelbarrow.
When the woman returned on Tuesday morning, she was able to see that it was a bronze statue of a horse and cowboy. When the woman got home, she searched the internet and found a post about the stolen statue before calling the Sheriff’s Office.
According to Sheriff Magers, the statue has been returned to its owner.
At this time, it is not known how the statue got from Creston to Mead, or how long it had been in the location where it was found. As for suspects, Lincoln County Sheriff Wade Magers said in a Facebook post that the investigation into the theft is still ongoing.
Anyone with information can contact the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Dispatch at 509-725-3501.
