08/18/2026
On Monday, August 17, Mayor Marshall Simien joined Lake Charles Police Department (LCPD) leadership, city officials, members of Chief Don Dixon’s family, law enforcement officers and community members to dedicate the newly renovated Don Dixon Law Enforcement Center at 4909 Common St.
The facility is now home to LCPD’s Training and SWAT Divisions, which recently moved into the renovated space after operating out of temporary facilities near LCPD Headquarters following the 2020 storms. In the future, the facility will also provide a location for residents to access police services, including filing reports.
The project is part of the City’s ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, with FEMA funding obligated through a cost-share agreement. Renovations included a new fire alarm, sprinkler and HVAC systems; installation of a new elevator; electrical upgrades to accommodate the new office layout; renovations to the rear vehicle bay; and additional security improvements.
The facility is named in honor of the late Don Dixon, who served as Lake Charles Police Chief from 2002 until his retirement in 2019. Prior to joining the department, Dixon retired from a 30-year career with the FBI.
During his tenure as Chief, Dixon expanded the Police Department, established and trained a 19-member designated SWAT team, and created specialized divisions and multi-jurisdictional law enforcement task forces.
On May 1, 2024, the Lake Charles City Council approved a resolution sponsored by then-Council President Mark Eckard to dedicate and name the facility in Dixon’s honor.
“Chief Don Dixon dedicated his life to public service, and he left an enduring mark on the Lake Charles Police Department and our community,” said Mayor Marshall Simien. “This is a fitting place to honor his legacy because this facility will help prepare the men and women who serve and protect our city while also providing a place where, in the future, residents will be able to access critical police services.”
“I had the privilege of serving alongside Chief Dixon and learning from his leadership,” said Lake Charles Police Chief Shawn Caldwell. “He cared deeply about this department, the officers who served here and the community we are entrusted to protect. It is especially meaningful to see his name on a facility dedicated to training and preparing the next generation of officers. His influence on this department continues, and I’m honored to see his legacy carried forward in this way.”
“I had the opportunity to work with Chief Dixon throughout his 17-year tenure as Chief, and I saw firsthand the leadership he brought to the department,” said City Administrator John Cardone. “He led with strength and compassion, particularly during some of the most challenging times our community faced, including our response to Hurricane Rita in 2005. Just as important as the way he led the department was the heart he showed to the people of this community. He cared deeply about Lake Charles, and that care was evident in the way he served.”
Dixon passed away on December 25, 2021.
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