Owners of Rowan County car dealership help family of deputy who died of COVID-19

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — The owners of a car dealership in Rowan County are now helping the family of a Catawba County deputy who died of COVID-19.

Catawba County sheriff’s deputies began raising money for the family of one of their own, Deputy Dennis Dixon. Dixon worked in law enforcement for more than three decades in Catawba County before dying last summer. Now, his colleagues and the community are coming together to honor his memory in Washington, D.C.

The outpouring of love and support after his death last August made it clear that Dixon had an impact on more than just his fellow officers -- the community also remembers him fondly.

For years, he was a reserve officer, but also worked full time as a child support enforcement deputy. He was also a member of the crisis intervention de-escalation team.

Channel 9 spoke with officers who said deputy Dixon had the ability to connect with people in very difficult situations.

“It was a great loss,” said Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Captain Pete Lutz. “We’re just trying to assist them in getting monetary funds so they don’t really have to worry about it.”

Lutz and his colleagues are raising money now so his family can travel to the nation’s capital during National Police Week in May. Deputy Dixon will be honored during the memorial service and his name will be added to the memorial wall at that time.

“He’d always joke and say, ‘if you need me, don’t call me,’” Lieutenant Kerry Penley said. “That’s funny because if you needed Dennis, you wouldn’t have to call him because he’d already be there.”

The sheriff’s office said their goal is to raise $9,000 for the family. They’re accepting donations at the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office in Newton.

Check out their Facebook post for more information.

Car dealership owners donate $6K to Deputy Dixon’s family

They didn’t know Dixon but they are big supporters of law enforcement across the state. When the couple heard about his tragic death, they wanted to help.

Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty spoke with both Gerry and Brenda Wood at their Honda dealership in Salisbury Thursday morning. The pair donated $6,000.

The Woods said they saw the story on Channel 9 and wanted to help Dixon’s family.

“We do whatever we can, whenever we can with our limited resources to support the police and try to make their lives better,” owner Gerry Wood said.

“They’re at risk constantly, and they’re doing it because they believe in serving and protecting,” owner Brenda Wood said. “He was a victim because he was out there serving his community.”

The sheriff told Channel 9 he was thankful for the donation.

“Our office is very grateful to Gerry and Brenda Wood for their donation,” Catawba County Sheriff Don Brown said. “These funds, along with others raised through generous donations, will ensure that the family will be able to honor Deputy Dixon at the ceremonies during National Police Week.”

(WATCH PREVIOUS COVERAGE BELOW: Catawba County deputies raise money ahead of colleague’s honor in nation’s capital)

Catawba County deputies raise money ahead of colleague’s honor in nation’s capital

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