Barrackville Police Department Under Review Amid Evidence Room Concerns
Confusion and internal review have enveloped the Barrackville Police Department in West Virginia following allegations of a break-in and subsequent discrepancies within its evidence room. While the department itself posted on social media that its entire staff had been terminated, town officials have clarified that the situation is more nuanced, involving temporary leaves and an ongoing investigation rather than a mass dismissal.
Evidence Room Discrepancies Spark Internal Review
The unusual situation began to unfold when Barrackville Police Chief Zachary Freeburn submitted his resignation, effective immediately. Shortly thereafter, on July 7, the Barrackville Police Department issued a statement via Facebook asserting that the Mayor and City Council had relieved the entire department of duty. The post expressed gratitude to the community for its support during their service.
However, John Funkhouser, the general counsel for Barrackville, has refuted the department’s claim of a wholesale firing. Funkhouser stated that the police department’s assertion was “entirely inaccurate.” Instead, he explained that two officers were placed on temporary administrative leave as part of an internal investigation into an alleged breach of the evidence room.
Allegations of Cleaned-Out Evidence Locker
According to Funkhouser, Chief Freeburn informed a council member, Alex Neville, on July 1 that the department’s evidence locker had been emptied. Freeburn reportedly stated that this action was taken under the direction of the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office and involved the removal of firearms that had been confiscated over several years, along with approximately $30 in abandoned cash. The chief’s resignation followed the next day.
Following these events, Officer David Hunt reportedly contacted Barrackville Mayor Thomas Straight to discuss an “action plan” for the department. Mayor Straight, citing concerns over a perceived lack of “proper records and other documentation,” subsequently placed Hunt and another officer, Ethan Darden, on temporary inactive status. This measure was intended to provide the town council with adequate time to thoroughly review all relevant information pertaining to the police department’s operations.
Concerns Over Security and Unsecured Items
Further complicating matters, Mayor Straight voiced concerns on July 6 regarding the potential for unauthorized remote access to the police department’s surveillance cameras, including those monitoring the evidence room. When several council members gained access to the evidence room, they reportedly discovered a list of safe combinations left on a desk. Using one of these combinations, they opened a safe that was found to be empty.
In addition to the empty safe, council members observed that one police cruiser was found unlocked. Another cruiser contained an “unsecured rifle.” It was in the wake of these discoveries that Hunt and Darden were placed on leave the following day.
Conflicting Accounts and Whistleblower Claims
Officer Hunt has offered a different perspective on the events. He reportedly told a local news outlet that he discovered the evidence room had been accessed by an unauthorized party upon arriving for his shift on July 7. Hunt has indicated his intention to investigate the alleged break-in and has sought “whistleblower” status, inviting the West Virginia State Police to conduct an inquiry.
Following a meeting between town officials and the West Virginia State Police, the clerk for the Barrackville Police Department resigned. Funkhouser reiterated the town’s position in a subsequent statement, emphasizing that the Mayor and Council had undertaken necessary oversight actions to ensure accountability and compliance with regulations. He stressed the town’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and resident safety.
Temporary Coverage and Ongoing Investigation
The Barrackville Town Council canceled a scheduled meeting on July 7, citing insufficient information regarding items listed under “unfinished business.” In the interim, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office has stepped in to handle emergency calls within Barrackville.
The situation remains under internal review, with town officials working to ascertain the full scope of the issues within the police department and its evidence handling procedures. The focus is on restoring order and ensuring the integrity of law enforcement operations in the small West Virginia community.
