Allegations of missing evidence, including narcotics, have surfaced in a federal lawsuit filed this week, claiming that a former Brevard police officer was terminated in retaliation for raising concerns. The case highlights tensions within the police department regarding the handling of sensitive materials.
The lawsuit was filed by the North Carolina Division of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association on behalf of ex-Sgt. Wilson Bunn, against the city of Brevard, the police chief, and the city manager. It claims that Bunn was appointed to oversee the evidence room soon after his hiring, during which time he discovered discrepancies in the evidence inventory.
Bunn’s concerns about the missing evidence led him to urge a fellow employee to contact the District Attorney or the State Bureau of Investigation, especially in cases of active prosecution. However, the lawsuit asserts that Police Chief Thomas Jordan did not act with urgency, failing to secure the evidence room or inform the necessary authorities.
Bunn sought advice from the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) due to his belief that the department was not adequately addressing the issue. In August 2024, he reached out to the PBA about missing items, which allegedly led to his dismissal once his superiors became aware of this consultation.
The lawsuit claims that after City Attorney Mack McKeller was informed by a PBA lawyer, Chief Jordan took punitive measures against Bunn, including locking him out of police systems and attempting to blame him for the missing evidence. Despite these allegations, the city has yet to comment publicly on the lawsuit.
In a public appeal at a City Council meeting in August 2024, the PBA brought these issues to the attention of city officials. Bunn also personally informed City Manager Wilson Hooper of the missing evidence and claimed retaliatory actions by Chief Jordan. The following day, Bunn was placed on administrative leave and subsequently dismissed.
“It is essential that public employees be able to speak freely on matters of public concern without fear of retaliatory dismissal,” stated David Rose, president of the North Carolina Division of the Southern States PBA.
The lawsuit also notes that Chief Jordan attempted to revoke Bunn’s occupational certification by accusing him of removing marijuana from the evidence room. However, in April 2025, the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards’ Probable Cause Committee rejected these accusations.
“We have never before witnessed such egregious violations of state, federal and constitutional law against a law enforcement officer by government officials,” said John Midgette, North Carolina PBA executive director. “Such actions cannot stand if our police officers are to perform their sworn and lawful duties.”
