Lieutenant Lee Wilder filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Alamogordo under the Whistleblower Protection Act, alleging retaliation for reporting misconduct within the department. He claimed he was fired for criticizing department policies and handling of incidents, including a fatal fire and a car accident. Wilder was rehired after his termination was overturned, received a 15-day suspension without pay, and later settled the lawsuit for $250,000, agreeing to resign from the department.