50-year-old Richard David Miller, Jr. of Hawk Drive in Claremont was arrested Tuesday (September 26) by Catawba County Sheriff’s Officers. He’s charged with assault on a government official or employee and two counts of resisting an officer.

The charges are in connection to an incident Tuesday afternoon during which the Town of Catawba’s Police Chief was assaulted. At approximately 5 p.m., Chief Brian Bixby served an outstanding warrant for resisting arrest on Miller at a gas station on South Main Street in downtown Catawba. According to the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, Miller attacked the officer and fled the scene leading to a foot chase.

Chief Bixby fell during the pursuit and was injured. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment. Miller was found approximately a half-hour after the foot chase in a wooded area about two-tenths of a mile away. Miller was taken into custody and brought to the Catawba County Detention Facility.

Miller remained in jail as of earlier today (September 27) under $1,500 bond. He was scheduled to appear in District Court in Newton today.