Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

My name is Donald Dixon; I have always lived in Beaufort County and cannot imagine living anywhere else. This is where I attended school, worked, church, and raised my daughters.

I have been a volunteer in the community and started my law enforcement career at the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office. Below is a brief outline of my qualifications, I am more than happy to answer any questions the citizens of Beaufort County might have.

Education:
Washington High School
EMT Beaufort County Community College
EMT-Defib Wayne County Community College
EMT-Intermediate Lenoir Community College
Advanced Level Trauma Wayne County Community College
2 Yr Transfer courses Beaufort County Community College
Basic Law Enforcement Training Beaufort County Community College
Criminal Justice Instructor Training Beaufort County Community College
B.S. Degree Criminal Justice Mount Olive College
Masters Degree Criminal Justice ECU (anticipated Fall 2010)
Several other courses through area colleges and the N.C. Justice Academy

Honors:
Golden Key International Honor Society - ECU
Alpha Phi Sigma - National Criminal Justice Honor Society - ECU
Board of Directors - Washington Evening Lions Club
Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate - Sheriff's Training and Standards
Criminal Justice Instructor Certificate - NC Criminal Justice Education
Mentor - NC Tarheel Challenge Academy, Salemburg, NC

Work Experience:
Heating and Air Conditioning Contractor - Self employed – 23+ years
Washington Fire and Rescue - Past Volunteer fireman/EMT-I
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office - Deputy/Supervisor - 5 years
North Carolina Licensed Private Investigator - Self employed - 7 years

Associations:
ASC - The American Society of Criminology
NCCJA - North Carolina Criminal Justice Association
SCJA - Southern Criminal Justice Association
NCAPI - North Carolina Association of Private Investigators
National Rifle Association
Washington Evening Lions Club - Charter Member

I have been honored to serve the people here in many areas of life. As a businessman, I have learned several lessons that should be applied to government, primarily in the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

Any wasted asset is wasted money. It doesn't matter if we're talking about a budget or any available resource. Waste takes money away from the tax payers. The citizens of Beaufort County deserve better from their elected officials.

Second, people are assets. The longer a person works in a position the more valuable they become. It is to our advantage to retain patrol officers and investigators.

I will work FOR the citizens of Beaufort County. I will protect the resources at my disposal to assure they are not wasted. It is my goal to improve the quality of living and overall safety of our homes and families in Beaufort County.

I will cut spending in the budget and increase the patrol manpower by at least one more officer per shift AT NO ADDITIONAL COST to the tax payers of Beaufort Country. This will provide better county coverage, better officer support, and in return safer citizens, families, and deputies.

Crime prevention will be a key focus for me as your Sheriff. Beaufort County has seen an increase in the trend of violent crime over the past 12 years, with a marked increase over the last 6 years I pledge to focus on crime reduction and doing the job charged to the Sheriff of this county. We will not only solve crime but WE WILL REDUCE CRIME.