Demand the Resignation of James Hampton from the Union County Sheriff’s Office

The Issue
James Hampton, recently sworn into the Union County Sheriff’s Office in Monroe, NC, has a deeply troubling history that makes him unfit to serve in law enforcement.

While employed by the Salisbury Police Department, Hampton was caught on video brutally assaulting his K9 partner, Zuul. The shocking footage revealed disturbing abuse of a trusted law enforcement animal — an officer in every sense of the word. Instead of being terminated, Hampton resigned before disciplinary action could be taken, allowing him to avoid accountability and move into a new position with Union County.

This type of maneuver undermines public trust in our justice system and raises urgent questions about standards of accountability in law enforcement. Officers are entrusted with immense responsibility. A person who has demonstrated violence against a defenseless K9 officer cannot be trusted to protect human or animal lives in our community.

Our Demands
We call for:

• The immediate resignation of James Hampton from the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
• The Salisbury Police Department to officially amend his record to reflect “resigned in lieu of termination.”
• The filing of official charges against Hampton for his assault on K9 officer Zuul, as would happen if any member of the public committed such an act.

No one should be above the law — especially not those sworn to uphold it. Allowing Hampton to continue serving as a law enforcement officer jeopardizes community trust, officer integrity, and the rights and safety of both citizens and animals.

By signing this petition, you demand accountability, transparency, and justice — for Zuul, for our communities, and for the values law enforcement must uphold.