Fired Dixon Police Chief Says He's At Peace With City's Decision, Planning Next Step

DIXON (CBS13) — A well-loved, longtime police chief has been fired, though the reason why he's out of a job remains a total mystery.

The chief was notified on Tuesday, as was the rest of the Dixon Police Department. From what we've been able to gather, there was shock all the way around, perhaps even from the chief, himself.

"I think it's a great loss, a great loss for Dixon," said pastor and friend Raleigh Galgan.

When Jon Cox learned he'd been fired, he called his pastor of 25 years.

"He was just shocked, that's all; sad," he said. "I don't know if he knew it was coming. I'm not sure, um, I think he was shocked, so I don't think he knew he was going to be terminated."

Galgan is asking the question reverberating around Dixon:

"He's engaged in the community, seems like everybody loves him, and I go, what happened" he said.

Dixon's city manager says the issue is a personnel matter between Cox and the city, emphasizing there is no department scandal. The city manager also said the city had been looking into the matter for five months. He says there is no pending litigation and no one else has been fired or reprimanded.

Dixon won't reveal the reasons for the firing. It's difficult to accept for those who know the 30-year law enforcement veteran as someone who goes way above and beyond the duties of a police chief to help build his community.

"I've worked with Jon with troubled teens who have no place to live, and Jon takes them into his home," Galgan said. "I believe Jon is the same person when no one's looking; I believe he's a man of integrity."

The city manager says he isn't legally allowed to discuss the details.

Cox called CBS13 late on Wednesday saying he couldn't discuss specifics, but that he his at peace and credits his faith and friends for keeping him upbeat.

"It is a challenging time but the outpouring of support I've had from the Dixon community today, through multiple, multiple phone calls and text messages and encouragement has just been just overwhelming," he said.

He says he isn't sure what his next step will be, adding that being Dixon's police chief was the pinnacle of his three-decade career.

One of the department's lieutenants will serve as the acting chief of police while Dixon Police decides who to appoint as interim chief.