BARRACKVILLE, W.VA. — The Barrackville Town Council and Mayor Tom Straight relieved every member of the Barrackville Police Department of duty. The department announced the action in a Facebook post on a Tuesday.

Sgt. Hunt, a former sergeant with the department, stated he arrived at the station on the morning of July 7 and discovered the evidence room had been broken into. Hunt said he called a meeting with Mayor Tom Straight and the town council following the discovery. He claimed a council member admitted to taking a set of police keys. Hunt stated that he and the department's only other officer were immediately removed from active duty after accusing members of the town government of breaking into the evidence room. He also said he informed the mayor and council that he would seek whistleblower protection.

Council members had previously expressed a desire to inventory the department without officers present, according to Hunt. Barrackville Police Chief Zachary Freeburn resigned less than a week before the remaining officers were removed from duty. Hunt stated that Freeburn resigned due to repeated clashes with the town council over its level of control over the department. Freeburn had shared a letter he wrote for a canceled town council meeting.

In the letter, Freeburn alleged that the city council informed him a member would directly oversee the department and make changes to policy, procedure, and numerous directives. Freeburn also alleged the council conveyed changes to daily work life, including hours. "Trying to be professional and realizing I do not know everything, I offered an open discussion into potential changes as I am always open to bettering myself and the Department," Freeburn stated. He added, "This was immediately shut down, and I was told, and this is a rough quote, but it is what I remember, 'If I give you a directive, you follow it. This is not an open discussion. I am in charge and what I say goes.'"

Marion County Sheriff Roger Cunningham stated that deputies will continue responding to calls in Barrackville now that the town is without a police department. Barrackville has a population of 1,288 people, according to the 2020 census.