Mebane Fires Three, Demotes Sergeant Amid Multiple Employee Disciplinary Actions

City records show that Mebane officials took formal personnel actions against a cross-section of municipal employees between mid-2024 and late 2025, resulting in three terminations, one demotion, and multiple suspensions. Two employees who were disciplined subsequently resigned.

The three terminations occurred in 2025. Maintenance technician Brian Fields, 38, was terminated on Feb. 28, 2025 after refusing to take a second drug test following an on-the-job injury that city records link to damage to city property on Feb. 18, 2025. Groundskeeper James Sudduth, 38, was fired April 4, 2025 after failing a required drug screening connected to removal from a CDL training program. A laboratory supervisor in the water department, hired Nov. 18, 2024, was terminated in May 2025 for unsatisfactory job performance; the personnel record cites failure to properly calibrate chlorine meters, a deficiency noted as posing a potential public health risk.

The police department accounted for most disciplinary actions. Former sergeant Rodney Ward, 40, was demoted to officer effective March 6, 2025 and took a 10 percent pay cut. Officer Damian Wiggins, 26, was suspended without pay for three shifts Oct. 28–Nov. 1, 2024. Officer Stephen McCormick, 41, was suspended with pay Oct. 9–Nov. 8, 2025. Former officer Gary Burnette, 28, was suspended with pay Jan. 17, 2024–Feb. 4, 2025 and later resigned. The personnel records indicate that three of those disciplined within the department remain employed.

Other departmental actions included a one-day unpaid suspension for administrative support specialist Olivia Brown, 43, on Jan. 16, 2025; a two-day unpaid suspension for maintenance technician Mason Miller, 22, Dec. 22–23, 2025; and a one-day unpaid suspension for human resources consultant Jared Vinson, 38, on Sept. 26, 2024, who appears to have resigned since that action.

Under North Carolina law, local governments must disclose certain personnel actions and provide separation letters for terminations, and the city’s released records include the dates and cited reasons for each action. For residents, the disclosures carry tangible implications. The water department termination flags a technical failure that regulators and city officials will need to address to assure safe drinking water and restore public confidence. Drug-testing related dismissals and CDL training removals have operational consequences for maintenance and field services. Repeated disciplinary action within the police department raises questions about internal oversight, training, and community accountability.

City managers and elected leaders will face decisions about corrective measures, staffing and recruitment, and clearer communication to residents. Public access to these personnel records gives citizens a basis to evaluate whether those measures are sufficient and to press for policy changes in testing, supervision, and safety protocols where needed.