Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker responds to shake-up within sheriff's office, late deputy Ned Byrd funeral document

Byrd was shot to death last month in the line of duty.

The document appears to show the Wake County Sheriff’s Office asking a funeral home to return several of Byrd’s items, including his uniform, nameplate and other property that technically belongs to the sheriff’s office.

A handwritten note on that paperwork said, "You can cut the pants and shirt if needed."

A funeral home employee told WRAL Investigates the directive came from the sheriff's office. WRAL Investigates sent the document on Friday morning to Sheriff Gerald Baker and Maj. Barry Jones, whose signature is on the paper, asking about its validity, but did not receive a direct response.

On Friday, Baker did release a statement that reads in part:

“The family of Deputy Ned Byrd and his memory have, throughout this tragic ordeal, been treated with the utmost respect by me and this office,” Baker wrote. “We, alongside multiple law enforcement agencies, have worked tirelessly to bring the murderers to justice, preserve the integrity in criminal investigation, and will continue to do so in preparing this case for prosecution.

Ultimately, Byrd was buried in his uniform and his personal effects were given to the family.

Due to numerous requests to assist Byrd's family, the sheriff on Friday shared that the State Employees Credit Union of North Carolina (SECU) with the support of his family, has set up a bank account to help. Concerned residents who want to help Mignon Perkins, the sister of Byrd, can do so by visiting any of the 272 SECU branches statewide. All donations will be credited to the “Account Benefiting Mignon Perkins.”

Those three deputies see this change as blatant act of disrespect and see their new positions as a demotion.

Any change within the K-9 unit would be significant considering the amount of training K-9 officers have to go through, according to those deputies.

Wake County K-9 unit sees shake-up after deputy Ned Byrd's death

In Friday’s statement, Baker wrote, “As I stated in a previous response, inquiries as to personnel moves within the Wake County Sheriff’s Office have taken place and result from the needs of this office in serving this county. Additionally, reassignments are a necessary part of organizational and career development, and, broadens the experiences of deputies as they advance in their law enforcement careers. As to the decision regarding specific officers, as you are aware, would violate North Carolina General Statute provisions protecting personnel privacy.”

Byrd's family has announced a news conference set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday in front of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office at 330 S Salisbury St. in Raleigh. WRAL Investigates is told they’ll discuss their dealings with the sheriff’s office, the changes in the K-9 unit and the murder investigation.

WRAL Investigates spoke to Wake County Commission Chair Sig Hutchinson about the controversies. He acknowledged commissioners have received citizen complaints, but stressed the board has limited authority over the sheriff, who is an elected official.

“We are concerned and plan to meet directly with the sheriff to ask questions," Hutchinson said.