Gaston County man whose firing went viral gets sworn in as police officer for a day

MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. — A local man who gained national notoriety after he was fired from the Wendy’s restaurant he worked at for more than two decades got a new job as a Mount Holly police officer for a day.

Dennis Peek has Down syndrome and was not far from retirement after 22 years working at the Stanley fast food spot. Instead, the restaurant fired him earlier this month.

Peek’s family shared his story on social media and hundreds of people rallied together to support the man. Since then, he has been busy receiving cards, gifts and congratulations from all over the world.

On Wednesday, the Mount Holly Police Department gave Dennis a new job: officer for the day.

He was sworn in as part of a ceremony with officers then went on patrol at Ida Rankin Elementary school. Students and staff made signs and cards to recognize “Officer Peek.”

His family said the town named Dennis as “Mr. Mount Holly.”

He’ll have a big retirement party on Nov. 5 starting at 2 p.m. at Harper Park in Stanley and the town says it has big plan to celebrate Peek.

“Huge surprise. I don’t want to give too much away, but I think Dennis and his family will be extremely pleased with it and I hope it brings a smile to his face,” said Steven Denton, the mayor of Stanley.

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