Chief Steven C. Howell, Jr.
Chief Steven C. Howell Jr. was appointed Chief of Police in November, 2017. Howell graduated from Dixon High School in 1994 and
is a 6 year military veteran. Howell began his career as a patrol officer in 1999, was appointed as a Designated Officer In Charge of a patrol shift in 2002, served as a school resource officer for nearly 2 years, and then served as a detective before he was promoted to Sergeant in 2008. In 2015, Howell became the Detective Sergeant and has led all major investigations for the past 2 years. Howell has extensive background in emergency operations and served on the Tactical Response Team for 14 years. For the past 5 years, Howell has served on the Lee County Drug Court, a very progressive alternative court program that helps those suffering from addiction.
Howell has been instrumental in the Safe Passage Initiative for the past 2 years.
Deputy Chief Richards began his career with the Dixon Police Department on April 4, 1998. He worked in the patrol division until February of 2001, at which time he was transferred into a Detective assignment. In 2006, Richards returned to patrol for a few months, and then returned to the detective division. On September 1, 2007, Richards was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and assumed the responsibilities of supervising a patrol shift. On March 10, 2008, Richards transferred into the position of Detective Sergeant. On May 30, 2022, Richards was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief. Deputy Chief Richards is currently responsible for the management of the Investigations and Administration divisions.
Deputy Chief Doug Lehman
Deputy Chief Lehman began his career at the Boone County Sheriff's Department in 1995 as a Patrol Deputy. Deputy Chief Lehman came on board at the Dixon Police Department on September 27th, 1999 as a patrol officer. Lehman
was assigned to the Dixon Police Department's patrol division as an officer and in 2004 became Designated Officer in Charge in the patrol division. On May 1st, 2014, Lehman was promoted to the rank of Patrol Sergeant. On September 9th, 2022, Lehman was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief of Police Patrol/Operations.
Deputy Chief Lehman has served in many capacities during his years of service at the Dixon Police Department, including Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, Taser Instructor, Tactial Team Member and Sniper Team Member.