By Betsy Finklea
The grand opening of the new City of Dillon Police Department will be held on Monday, January 27th, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
The new police department is located in the heart of downtown Dillon at 101 West Main Street, in the old First Bank building across from the fountain.
The program will begin with a welcome by Dillon Mayor Tally McColl, who will serve as the master of ceremony.
The invocation will follow by Pastor Joe Grice of Dillon Church of God. Remarks will be offered by Rep. Jackie E. Hayes, S.C. Senator Kent M. Williams, Congressman Russell Fry’s Economic Development and Outreach Director Bryan Braddock, and Senator Tim Scott’s Regional Director A.D. Jordan. Various Dillon City Council members will also offer remarks. Chief David Lane will recognize the 2025 Police Officers, and Pastor Matt Adams will give the benediction.
A ribbon cutting will also be held.
The current police department consists of Chief David Lane, Captain Ryan Berry, Lt. Monroe Herring, Lt. Melvin Lee, Sgt. Ray McPhatter, Sgt. Jeffrey Cook, Sgt. Ricky Day, Sgt. Blake Legette, Sgt. C.J. Zeller, Cpl. Corey McLaurin, Cpl. Drew Massengale, Cpl. Miguel Lara, Cpl. Tim George, LCpl. C.J. Barr, LCpl. Leslie Jones, LCpl. Matt Townsend, Pfc. Dustin Hinson, and Pfc. Dalamarius Coon.
The building has had a complete transformation and has come a long way from its days as the old First Bank building or for some who remember before that, the South Carolina National building. The public entrance to the building is on the Main Street side. The bottom floor contains cubicles for the patrol officers, offices for the administrative staff and officers, a training room, and a break room. The colors accentuate the beauty of the building. An elevator has been installed to make the building handicapped accessible.
The staircase and the entrance to the stairs features the original flooring. The original wood is around the doors, and is painted in keeping with the beauty of the building. The upstairs features several investigators offices, two interrogation rooms, the chief’s office which has an amazing view of downtown, a conference room, and two bathrooms, one of which has a shower in the event one is needed by an officer immediately. The colors upstairs also add to the overall charm of the renovation.
The mural of this building that hung on the outside is now inside and will hang in the hall.
There is also an area in the building to feature the police department’s rich history.
The public is invited to come out for the program and to view the new police department.
Pictured at top is the new City of Dillon Police Department in the snow. (Photo by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon County News, LLC)
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon County News, LLC
These are some photos taken prior to the completion of the renovation.
