Dixon Rodriguez was fatally shot by police
*File photo

PERTH AMBOY – On December 4 in the early afternoon a 911 Police Dispatcher received a call from a woman who told the Dispatcher: “I need you to send the police here.”

911 Opr.: What’s going on?

Caller: My son is violent.

911 Opr.: How old is he?

Caller: 34

911 Opr: Does he have a medical history?

Caller: Yes, yes. He doesn’t have medicine because it harms him and so I’m not giving it to him.

911 Opr.: What is your son’s name?

Caller: Dixon Rodriguez.

911 Opr: Did he hit you?

Caller. No.

This audiotape was released by the Perth Amboy Police Department on Friday, December 6.

On December 4, the day of the fatal shooting relatives, friends and people in the neighborhood were shocked to learn that Dixon Rodriguez had been killed.

Everyone who was interviewed including Rodriguez’ cousin, Edwin Paulino described Rodriguez as having the mental capacity of a young child despite his age of 34. According to Paulino, “He had the mind of a young kid and had mental problems.” Paulino went on to say, “My cousin was shot once in the head and twice in the chest. He was in front of his house, waiting for a cab to take him to the doctor.”

Others who gathered near the street corner where Rodriguez was shot described him as “harmless.” Dixon would sometimes ask people for quarters or cigarettes. “He wouldn’t hurt a fly.” They did not believe he had a weapon.

Another of Rodriguez’ cousins held a picture of him when he was 12 years old. She said, “This is the mental capacity he had today. The mind of a 12 year old.”

On Hall Avenue, the side streets blocks between Elizabeth and Cortlandt Streets were taped off while Rodriguez’ body laid under a white tent.

The body was finally removed around 5:30 p.m. where it had laid after he was fatally shot around 1:15 p.m. In that time frame, Edwin Paulino said, “The family was not able see Rodriguez’ body.”

Paulino also mentioned, “This was going to be the third death in the family in the past year.” His sister and his grandfather had died earlier and the family was dealing with the financial cost of those burials.