The entire Barrackville police department has denied claims of extortion

A small West Virginia town is at the center of a growing controversy after its entire police department was abruptly fired just days after its chief resigned, sparking public discord, allegations of government abuse and growing demands for transparency.

“As of now, the entire Barrackville Police Department has been relieved of duty by the Mayor and City Council,” the department posted on Facebook on Tuesday.

“We are very grateful for the support, trust, and encouragement that the community of Barrackville has shown us throughout our service. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve and protect this city.”

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The announcement shocked the residents and led to the collapse of the small entrance after a few months of officials celebrating hiring a new king to rebuild the center.

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In December 2025, the department announced the appointment of Zachary Freeburn as its new full-time police chief, highlighting his graduation from the West Virginia State Police Academy, his criminal justice degree and his advanced Drug Recognition Certificate.

“We look forward to continuing to rebuild and strengthen our department to better serve our community, and we are excited to once again have a full-time officer leading our organization,” the department wrote at the time.

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A Barrackville Police Department K-9 vehicle is seen in Barrackville, W.Va. The entire city police department has been relieved of duty by the mayor and city council. (Facebook Department of Barrackville Police)

Less than seven months later, that effort was over.

Last week, the Department announced that Freeburn had resigned “with immediate effect”. The center said Sgt. Hunt will serve as a police officer while assuring residents that police work will continue.

“Until further notice, Sergeant Hunt will serve as the officer in charge of the Barrackville Police Department to ensure that the department continues to operate,” the department said, adding that questions about the leadership change could be answered at the next city council meeting.

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The closure of the Barrackville Police Department is being worn by police in Marion County, West Virginia, at the police station before the department was put out of business by city officials. (Facebook Department of Barrackville Police)

Instead, the department itself was dismissed after a few days.

A letter Freeburn wrote before the department was fired reveals why he stepped down.

The letter, which was shared with WBOY and was meant to be read at the July 7 city council meeting before it was withdrawn, alleges that shortly after the newly elected city council took office, he was called into a closed meeting where he was told that there was a council member who would directly oversee the police department and make operational changes.

Freeburn wrote that he refused because he believed those orders violated West Virginia law governing municipal police departments. He said that when he tried to discuss the proposed changes, he was told, “If I give you an order, you follow it… I am in charge and what I say goes.”

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Former Barrackville Police Chief Zachary Freeburn accepted the award during the 2025 West Virginia Law Enforcement Ceremony. (Facebook Department of Barrackville Police)

He described the situation as creating an environment that he believed would become a workplace and said that concern ultimately led to his resignation.

In the letter, Freeburn also wrote that one of the biggest complaints he hears from residents is the lack of transparency at city hall. He said that he chose to resign so that these problems could be brought to light, and he expressed that he hoped that the citizens would finally get “the transparency that they have been asking for.”

The letter notes that it was written before the announcement that the entire police department had been laid off.

Former Barrackville Police Sgt. Hunt, who has been released publicly only by his last name, told WBOY that he discovered the evidence room had been broken into when he arrived at the department Tuesday morning.

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Hunt suspected that city officials had previously discussed writing the department’s list without the police. He also said that during a meeting with Mayor Tom Straight and members of the city council, Councilman Alex Neville admitted to taking a set of police keys.

According to Hunt, after he accused city officials of entering the evidence room, he and another police officer, who had taken all of the department’s oaths, were relieved of their duties. Hunt also said he informed city officials that he intends to seek protection from the perpetrators.

Fox News Digital has not independently verified Hunt’s allegations.

This conflict seems to be intensifying even before the Ministry was fired.

After Freeburn’s resignation, a Barrackville resident launched an online petition urging the city council to reinstate him, arguing that he was “forced to resign because of what many residents believe was unnecessary by the newly elected City Council.”

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The petition calls on city leaders to review the circumstances surrounding the resignation, restore public trust through transparency and reinstate Freeburn as police chief.

“Our police chief quickly earned the trust, respect, and appreciation of our community for his expertise, leadership, integrity, and dedication to keeping Barrackville safe,” the petition states. “Although his time serving our city was short, his impact was undeniable.”

Organizers also urged residents to attend the July 7 city council meeting to voice their concerns. The meeting was canceled again.

In a Facebook post, Barrackville City Council announced the meeting was canceled due to “lack of sufficient information regarding items on the unfinished business list.”

The cancellation of this has raised questions from residents, most of whom have been on social media seeking answers.

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An electronic sign outside the City of Barrackville announces a city council meeting. (Facebook Department of Barrackville Police)

“Time to do a deep dive on the city council. The truth is not being told,” one commenter wrote under the police department’s announcement.

One resident joked, “Who’s going to look after the 5 residents in Barrackville now?”

Barrackville, a town of about 1,200 in north-central West Virginia, is located 25 miles southwest of Morgantown.

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Marion County Sheriff Roger Cunningham previously told WBOY that the sheriff’s office will continue to respond to calls in Barrackville, as it does throughout Marion County, ensuring that residents continue to have access to law enforcement even though the city no longer has a functioning police department.

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City officials have not publicly explained why the entire department was demoted or responded to allegations made by former officials.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Barrackville Police Department, The Straight, members of the Barrackville City Council and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for comment. Fox News Digital also contacted the West Virginia Municipal League seeking clarification on the authority of municipal officials regarding police department operations under state law.