Community supports Morganton officer, family who lost home in fire

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — A community is helping an officer and his family who lost their home on Wednesday in a fire.

The officer’s wife said she was wrapping a present when she noticed the fire at their home along Dale Farm Road in the Salem Community, south of Morganton. Because there wasn’t a hydrant nearby, firefighters used water from a creek at the home to put out the fire.

Burke County- the community is coming together to support a Morganton Public Safety Officer after a fire destroyed his home. He and his wife have three children and lost much of what they own. Efforts by his department to help today on channel 9 eyewitness news at noon and 5 pic.twitter.com/JHzpTmwPtA
— Dave Faherty (@FahertyWSOC9) December 21, 2023

The couple said they lost much of what they owned. But only hours after that fire, people in Burke county began making donations.

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“I know the family, and like I said, Salem is near, dear to my heart. I love ‘em. I’m glad to do this,” said Roni Woodell.

The Burke Law Enforcement Assistance Foundation, a joint effort by law enforcement officers and Burke County residents to help local officers with unforeseen financial burdens, is accepting donations for the Morganton Public Safety officer and his family.

Channel 9′s Dave Faherty learned the officer and his wife have three children ages 4, 7, and 8 years old.

People showed up at the department all Thursday morning carrying envelopes with donations for the officer and his family.

ALSO READ: 3 firefighters home from hospital after Steele Creek home caught fire

“It’s the season of giving. You need to think about that. Prompts me to help because I’ve been helped a lot in the past,” said Wendy Poteet.

Others donated presents and clothing for the children. For those working in Morganton Public Safety, the outpouring of support for one of their own brought some to tears.

“Our officer having been here for many years has done so much good work in the community and in our agency, and I think this is really a reflection of how the community shows an outpouring of love,” Chief Jason Whisnant said.

The officer and his wife told Faherty the support has been overwhelming and they are very grateful for the people of Burke County.

If you’d like to donate to the officer and his family, click here for details in Morganton Public Safety’s Facebook post.

(WATCH BELOW: Warehouse catches fire on Interstate 40 in Morganton)