While Detective Corey Dixon, the police department's juvenile investigator, was in court today and not available for comment, Chief Thomas Hathaway said the detective received a call Friday of a student who refused to go to school.

When he went to investigate the matter it turned out the child simply refused to go because he had no clothes. “Other students were making fun of him,” Hathaway said. “Corey took it upon himself and bought some clothes.”

As word spread of what Dixon was doing, businesses and individuals began chipping in, giving Dixon a free pair of shoes and another pair at half-price. That led to other donations of clothes, Hathaway said.

Dixon's job as juvenile investigator includes investigating truancy issues, curfew violations, drug awareness and safety talks and investigating juvenile crime. “It's amazing to see how Detective Dixon's care and concern went above and beyond,” the chief said.

The student, because of Dixon's initial concern and the assistance from the community, now has enough clothes that he doesn't have to wear the same thing every day, said Hathaway. “It just shows that he goes beyond what is required.”

During the fall to winter coat drive, the public may bring new or gently used coats to the police department. The police department will go through the school systems within to county to distribute them.

For more information call the police department at 252-533-2810.