Hurley Police Hires Bunny Abuse Whistleblower

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The Hurley Town Council has approved the hire of Marcus Salas as a new patrol officer for the Hurley Police Department. Salas was previously fired from the Grant County Sheriff's Department along with three other deputies after he reported a colleague for allegedly hurling a baby rabbit against a vehicle and pointing a stun gun at him. Salas maintained his firing was retaliation, and the misconduct report made it difficult for him to find other employment until the Hurley PD, led by Chief Kevin Vigil, decided to bring him on.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges whistleblowers can face in finding new employment after reporting misconduct, as well as the importance of police departments supporting officers who come forward with concerns about their colleagues' behavior. It also raises questions about accountability and oversight within law enforcement agencies.

The details

According to the report, Salas was among four deputies fired from the Grant County Sheriff's Department for misconduct after a department investigation into another deputy's alleged threats toward Salas and violence toward an animal. Salas insists his own misconduct report was retaliatory and had impacted his employment prospects. However, Hurley Police Chief Kevin Vigil vouched for Salas in a previous special meeting, leading to the Hurley Town Council approving his hire as a patrol officer.

• In 2025, Salas was fired from the Grant County Sheriff's Department along with three other deputies.
• On March 19, 2026, the Hurley Town Council approved the hire of Salas as a patrol officer for the Hurley Police Department.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Hurley Police Department will soon have in-car cameras installed on all five of its police vehicles, with the work expected to take at most two days.