Dispute over police firing in Barrackville following evidence room burglary

West Virginia Police Department Under Investigation

Officials in Barrackville, West Virginia, are pushing back against claims made by their police department that all its officers were fired. Instead, they say the department is under internal investigation due to an alleged break-in at its evidence room.

The Barrackville Police Department had posted on Facebook on July 7, announcing that the entire force was dismissed by the Mayor and City Council. The statement expressed gratitude for the community’s support, emphasizing the honor of serving the town.

This announcement followed the immediate resignation of the former police chief, Zachary Freeburn. However, John Funkhouser, the city’s general counsel, clarified to media outlets that the department’s statements regarding a mass firing were “completely inaccurate.” He noted that two officers are on temporary leave while an internal investigation is conducted regarding the break-in.

Funkhouser revealed that Freeburn had informed City Councilman Alex Neville on July 1 that evidence archives in the department had been compromised under the direction of the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. Only a firearm and $30 in cash from previous arrests remained. The following day, Freeburn resigned from his position.

Officer David Hunt then reached out to Mayor Thomas Straight about the future direction of the department. Citing insufficient records, both Hunt and Officer Ethan Darden were placed on leave, allowing the city council to review the situation.

On July 6, Straight raised concerns that unauthorized individuals might have been able to access the police station’s surveillance systems. When members of the council checked the evidence room, they found a list of safe combinations on a desk. They used this list to open the safe, but nothing was retrieved.

Moreover, some council members found a police cruiser left unlocked, which also contained unsecured firearms. Hunt expressed his intention to investigate these trespassing allegations and requested that the West Virginia State Police conduct their own investigation. Following discussions with the state police, Hunt chose to resign.

In a statement reflecting how the situation has unfolded, Funkhouser insisted that the town is committed to accountability and transparency. He affirmed that the actions taken by the Mayor and City Council were essential for governance of the police department.

Hunt’s description of events contrasts with the city’s narrative. He claimed he saw an unfamiliar person in the evidence room upon his return to work after the holiday. After voicing concerns about the conduct of town officials, he and another officer were let go from the force.

As the city council announced a canceled meeting due to insufficient information about unresolved business, Marion County Sheriff Roger Cunningham stated that his department would handle calls within Barrackville.