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John Mark Dixon: 1951-2006Retired cop also was Vietnam vetThe 20-year Chicago officer received a Bronze Star from the Army
(Chicago Tribune (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Jan. 16--After two years working in the Chicago Police Department's motor maintenance division and chatting with police officers, John Mark Dixon decided to change his career plans and became an officer.
Mr. Dixon began in the Calumet District as a patrol officer, where he fostered a friendship with fellow Officer John "Skip" Carey.
"Mark was a good police officer, knew the job," Carey said. "He was a laid-back, nice guy who enjoyed life. He loved to golf and travel, especially Las Vegas."
Mr. Dixon, 54, died of a heart attack Thursday, Jan. 5, in his home on Chicago's South Side.
After 20 years of service, he retired with a disability pension from the department's South Chicago District in 1994 after injuring his back in the line of duty.
Born in Chicago and raised in Blue Island, he graduated from Marist High School before being drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War.
He served with the 101st Airborne Division and was awarded a Bronze Star, but neither his family nor friends know what prompted the award.
"I never knew until Mark's funeral that he had the Bronze Star," said George Goebel, one of his best friends and his former police partner in both districts. "If we were somewhere having a beer and watching television and a movie [about that war] came on, he wouldn't react. He would just say goodbye very politely and leave.
"I never knew what happened to him. He must have had it rough over there, but he never said a word, never complained. He kept it to himself."
After his discharge from the Army in 1972, Mr. Dixon joined the police maintenance division and then took the police exam, joining the force in 1974.
Retirement afforded him more time for the golf that he loved, said his brother Timothy.
"He was real active in a group that called themselves the Groundhogs and they played every Wednesday afternoon, spring through fall," his brother said.
"He also was officially the mayor of Western Avenue," his brother said, because of his fondness for frequenting eating and drinking establishments on that street.
Mr. Dixon was thrice married and divorced.
Besides his brother, he is survived by two other brothers, Thomas and Joseph; and a sister, Mary Brice.
Services have been held.
bsherlock@tribune.com
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