Former Burgaw police chief charged with embezzlement in New Hanover County

Jamey Cross, Wilmington StarNews
·2 min read
A former Pender County police chief has been charged with embezzlement.
A former Pender County police chief has been charged with embezzlement.

An embezzlement case against a former Pender County police chief is currently pending in New Hanover County court.

Edward Gibson, a former Burgaw police chief, is accused of embezzling $1,582.22 from the Lower Cape Fear Lodge #58 of the North Carolina Fraternal Order of the Police while he was serving as the organization's secretary and treasurer.

According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office asked the agency to investigate allegations of embezzlement regarding Gibson in March 2021.

The crime allegedly took place over a seven month period from August 2019 to March 2020.

Gibson was sworn in as chief of the Burgaw Police Department in March 2008, following the resignation of longtime chief Wayne Briley.

But he didn’t hold the title long. He announced his resignation in August 2008, citing personal reasons, according to past StarNews reports. He officially stepped down on Sept. 15, 2008.

Previous reporting:Burgaw police chief resigns

More crime news:Two weeks after his arrest, Pender man faces additional sex crimes charges

The Fraternal Order of the Police is an organization comprised of law enforcement officers that works with national and federal lawmakers to improve the law enforcement profession. There are 50 local lodges in North Carolina made up of more than 6,000 law enforcement officers.

The Lower Cape Fear Lodge is located in Wilmington. According to the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police, the Lower Cape Fear Lodge was chartered more than 32 years ago in September 1990. Presently, the lodge is lead by active and retired law enforcement professionals from the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, Wilmington Police Department and North Carolina Ports Authority Police.

According to past StarNews reports, Gibson previously served as secretary of the Lower Cape Fear Lodge.

The case is currently pending in New Hanover County Superior Court, and Gibson’s next court date is scheduled in October.

Jamey Cross is the public safety reporter at the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter @jameybcross. 

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Former police chief charged with embezzlement: What we know so far