Wake sheriff fires whistleblower deputies, promotes administrator who made homophobic comments

WRAL Investigates obtained internal sheriff's office investigative notes regarding the 2017 sessions led by then-Lt. Teddy Patrick. According to an investigation, Patrick signaled to deputies he didn't like gay people – he thought being gay was wrong – but said he could work with them.

Former Master Deputy Gray Speight and former Master Deputy Steven Williamson recalled recently Patrick saying that, if he went to a man's house and the man was wearing a dress, he wouldn't be going inside.

"It was very unprofessional being that he was a lieutenant and a teacher," Williamson said.

"He was making statements that were just inappropriate, Speight said.

Patrick even outed a fellow deputy in one class, they said.

"[He] stated that [the deputy] was a homosexual. I, myself, and many of my colleagues did not know that," Speight said.

According to the investigative notes, Patrick told an Asian employee in another sensitivity class that he bet she was good with chopsticks.

"You can think anything, but you can't say anything," Williamson said.

After word spread of the sessions, supervisors, including then-Sheriff Donnie Harrison, sought out various deputies to recount what was said.

"I told him I didn't want to get anyone in trouble, but if you ask the question, I'm going to tell the truth," Williamson said.

Notes show that, when Patrick was questioned by superiors, he admitted, "I said it, and I meant it."

Despite recommendations for termination, Harrison ordered Patrick demoted from lieutenant to senior investigator.

Patrick filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, but the agency determined that the Wake County Sheriff's Office was justified in its actions and denied his claim.

Turnover under new Wake sheriff making waves

Since Baker defeated Harrison in the November election, he has fired or demoted dozens of staffers from Harrison's regime. Sheriffs have broad legal authority to hire and fire as they wish.

Both Speight and Williamson were among the casualties, fired on Dec. 22 after each had served close to 18 years under three sheriffs and had stellar evaluations.

"He fired me – fired both of us – the Friday before Christmas. I didn't enjoy that Christmas," Speight said.

Both men said they don't believe their firings were fair or part of the natural transition to Baker's new administration.

"It was retaliation," Williamson said. "We had no control over any of the decisions that were made."

"Disciplinary actions from the past administration, I didn't have any part of that," Speight said. "We just told the truth of what happened – we were uncomfortable."

When Williamson walked out of the office that Friday, Patrick, who Baker promoted to captain, one of the highest-ranking officers in the new administration, escorted him to turn in his equipment.

"Almost like it was in your face, I'll show you," Williamson said.

WRAL Investigates tried to interview Baker and Patrick about the situation, but Baker issued a statement instead.

"The training sessions you refer to resulted in action being taken by the former administration. Captain Patrick was promoted to his present position after a thorough review of his work history, including the training session comments and their context and purpose," the statement says. "Personnel changes, whether they are reassignments, demotions or terminations, can be difficult. The changes that have been made, and will continue to be made, will be done to provide a fair and inclusive environment for all employees of this office."

Although both former deputies are now looking for work, they don't regret calling out Patrick for his statements.

"I did the right thing," Speight said. "Would I do it again? Yes."