Calcasieu Parish police jury appoints Dr. Joseph Dressler interim coroner

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury on a unanimous voice vote appointed Dr. Joseph Dressler as interim coroner after the jury’s chair recused from the item.

The appointment followed a briefing from Mister Boland, who said the secretary of state notified the parish that Coroner Dr. Terry Welky submitted his resignation effective Aug. 11, 2025, at 12:01 p.m., directed the jury to proclaim the vacancy no later than July 22, and called for a special election in 2026. Boland said the jury has until Aug. 31 to appoint an interim coroner or the governor would make the appointment.

Mister Andrew Pond moved to appoint Dr. Dressler; Mister Smith seconded the motion and the chair declared the item carried. Dr. Joseph Dressler then addressed the jury, describing his local ties and medical background: “I was born and raised in Lake Charles … I did my residency training in family medicine here in Lake Charles, and I’ve been with Memorial Hospital working as a hospitalist,” Dressler said, expressing gratitude and saying he was “honored to serve.”

Boland summarized the timeline and legal steps the jury must follow to fill the unexpired term and said staff and the jury liaison had held informational meetings with interested parties. The jury did not take further action beyond the interim appointment at the meeting; staff were instructed to proceed with the steps outlined by the secretary of state and to prepare for the mandated special election in 2026.

The chair recused from the item prior to action; the jury took the appointment by motion and recorded that the item carried. The interim appointment takes effect immediately; the special election schedule and other administrative steps remain subject to the secretary of state’s deadlines.