West Virginia Town Fires Entire Police Force After Ex-Sergeant Alleges Evidence Room Break-In

Barrackville, West Virginia, has found itself without a police force.

The Barrackville Police Department took to Facebook on Tuesday, July 7, to announce that every officer on the force had been fired following a dispute over an apparent break-in at the department’s evidence room.

According to the post, the firing was effective immediately, meaning every member of the 1,288-person town’s police department had been relieved of duty, a decision made by the Barrackville Town Council and Mayor Tom Straight.

The announcement comes after a former sergeant, identified by 12 News as Sgt. Hunt, told the outlet he arrived at the department on Tuesday morning and found the evidence room had been broken into. After making the discovery, Hunt said he immediately called a meeting with Straight and the town council. Hunt also claimed a council member admitted to taking a set of police keys.

Hunt told 12 News that after he accused members of the town government of breaking into the department’s evidence room, he and the department’s only other officer were immediately placed on administrative leave. Hunt said the department’s police clerk also resigned, leaving the town without any police staff. He added that he notified the mayor and town council that he planned to seek whistleblower protection.

The mass dismissals came less than a week after Barrackville Police Chief Zachary Freeburn resigned after eight years on the force. Hunt said Freeburn stepped down following what he described as ongoing disagreements with the town council over its level of control over the police department.

In a letter to the town of Barrackville written by Freeburn before the July 7 announcement dismissing the police force, and shared by 12 News, Freeburn said tensions began after the new town council took office.

Feeburn claims he was told a council member would have direct oversight of the police department — a move he said violated state law.

“As someone who has previously dealt with a hostile work environment and misconduct in office or from superiors, I decided it was in my best interest for my safety and mental health to resign my position,” Freeburn wrote.

Marion County Sheriff Roger Cunningham also spoke to 12 News and said the Marion County Sheriff’s Department will continue to respond to calls in Barackville — and anywhere else it is called to in Marion County — amid the firings.