By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten says he is satisfied with the response and attention given after a local Wendy’s employee refused to serve one of his deputies.

The deputy went into the fast-food restaurant at 825 S. Jake Alexander Blvd. on Wednesday and was refused service.

“The deputy and I met with the managers of the store today,” Auten posted on Facebook on Thursday. “The staff was very cordial and apologetic. In fact, I have received numerous calls today from different individuals within the local ownership group who were also very apologetic.”

Auten said it appears to be an isolated incident in which one person had a dislike for law enforcement officers.

“There is no evidence that anyone else at this location has any negative feelings toward law enforcement,” he said.

Auten said he does not believe the incident had anything to do with race. Both the employee and the deputy are white, he added.

“The deputy and I are satisfied with the response and attention that has been given to this situation by the local owner’s group,” Auten said.

He said he is thankful that the deputy handled the situation in a professional manner and simply left the restaurant. The deputy did not react in a negative or hostile manner, he said.

The human resources director for Carolina Restaurant Group, which owns the Wendy’s franchise, said the company had no comment about the incident.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.