Marion officials have fired a city police officer after an internal review found he left out past employment information tied to a 2024 death that has unsettled the community for months.
The move came after residents pressed city leaders to take a harder look at his hiring paperwork.
In a statement to LocalMemphis, the City of Marion said Officer Trey Bynum was terminated after Mayor Tracy Brick received a formal citizen request on May 12 asking officials to review his hiring and continued employment. According to the city, the review uncovered an omission that meant the department did not obtain and review complete employment documentation when Bynum was brought on.
Context: the 2024 death
Fifteen-year-old Tripp Cooter Brazeale died in November 2024, a loss that has prompted ongoing questions from his family and the wider community. His obituary and local reporting have documented the family's grief and the case's continuing scrutiny, according to Legacy.
What the city said
City officials told LocalMemphis (WATN) the firing should not be taken as a finding that Bynum committed wrongdoing in connection with Brazeale’s death. They said state investigative agencies have not filed criminal charges or concluded that Bynum engaged in misconduct.
The Marion Police & Fire Committee has opened its own review, which officials said has included conversations with representatives from the family's private investigative team.
What is next for the department
The police and fire committee will continue its review and is expected to report back to the city council. Mayor Tracy Brick's office did not immediately provide a timetable, according to the City of Marion. The city did not say whether Bynum plans to pursue an administrative appeal.
Legal note
City officials stressed that internal, administrative moves such as firing an officer for incomplete paperwork are separate from criminal investigations and do not amount to a legal finding of guilt. Families and advocates said such reviews can highlight hiring and record-keeping problems but often stop short of answering broader questions about officer conduct.
Residents said they plan to keep a close eye on the committee's work and have urged the city to be transparent as the review unfolds. Officials said more information will be released as the process moves forward.
