Former Gastonia police chief dies from COVID-19 complications

GASTONIA, N.C. — Former Gastonia Police Chief Rodney Parham, who served with the department for 30 years, has died from COVID-19 complications.

After leaving the Gastonia Police Department, Parham, 65, worked security at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and was working security at Covenant Village, a Gastonia retirement community, before he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Parham worked closely with the current Gastonia police chief.

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“When you know someone and work with someone over 30 years, they just become family to you,” said Chief Robert Helton.

Those who knew and loved Parham did all they could to support him. Parham spent 1 ½ weeks in the hospital and several days in intensive care, before dying from complications of COVID-19. Gaston County has had 52 deaths related to COVID-19.

“Losing someone like this makes you stop and think how serious this is,” Helton said.

It was a blow to law enforcement throughout the county. Parham mentored Capt. Cindy Isenhour from college until she retired.

“He was always accessible and available anytime you needed anything,” Isenhour said.

She said Parham ushered in the digital transformation at the department, transitioning from hard copy reports and moving towards online policing. He only served two years as chief before he retired in 2003.

People who knew Parham said he left a lasting impact.

“We really hate that we lost such a good friend,” Helton said. “He was a friend of the police department, a friend of the community.”

Parham’s memorial service will be on Wednesday. He will be laid to rest with full honors.

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Cox Media Group