Orange Beach police chief resigns post effective Dec. 4
John Mullen • November 22, 2019
Asst. Chief Steve Brown will be the interim chief.
(OBA®) – Orange Beach Police Chief Joe Fierro is resigning after serving the department since February of 2016. Fierro announced his resignation on the police department’s Facebook page on Nov. 20. Assistant Chief Steve Brown is expected to become the interim chief.
Dear Orange Beach Community,
I have resigned my position as Chief of Police effective December 4, 2019. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your police chief. I can assure each of you that you have fine, committed officers and staff serving and protecting you every day. I leave with a heavy heart but know you will be well taken care of. My best to all of you and I hope to see you when I am out and about. Take care.
Sincerely,
Joe Fierro
Chief of Police
More than 76 people offered comments of support on the social media post.
Mayor Tony Kennon said it’s his policy not to comment on retirements or resignations but said it’s likely Asst. Chief Steve Brown will be the interim chief while the city ponders who’ll replace Fierro.
“We’ll probably move Steve Brown to interim and just take our time,” Kennon said. “We’ll probably interview him. Steve has really grown in his abilities and he’s really stepped up as assistant chief. I think he deserves an opportunity to show what he can do on an interim basis. If we can go from within and get somebody that the police feels comfortable with them and we can go that route then, by all means, we will.”
Brown has served with the police department since 1993 when he was a reserve and communications officer. He has worked as a fulltime police officer since 1995 and served as patrol officer, investigator and now as assistant chief.
Share this article w/ Friends...
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf Shores police officers arrested eight people Wednesday after an armed robbery at a home in the 5500 block of Lemon Tree Lane. The suspects—six adults and two juvenile males—face multiple felony charges. Officers located the suspect vehicle within one minute of responding to the call. N
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach City Schools invites students, staff, and the community to celebrate the start of the school year at the annual Makos on Main Parade. The event will be held at The Wharf in Orange Beach and is free and open to the public. Students from Pre-K through 12th grade will march toget
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — An Orange Beach resident, Maria Hawkins, found more than she expected while checking their property Wednesday morning after Tropical Storm Bertha. A boat had washed up near their dock overnight. Hawkins spotted it after waking up and stepping outside to survey the damage. What followed was
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — NOAA Fisheries is inviting the public to weigh in on a proposed rule that would reduce the annual catch limit for Gulf Spanish mackerel. The proposed change is part of Framework Amendment 14 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf and Atlantic Reg
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Tropical Storm Bertha, the second named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, was located due south of Dauphin Island and just southwest of Orange Beach as of 4 a.m. CDT this morning. The NWS National Hurricane Center in Miami issued Advisory 12, placing the storm's center near lati
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Officials with the Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF/JKA) broke ground on a $15 million terminal expansion in response to “extraordinary” passenger growth.
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Watching a cluster of balloons drift over the Gulf may feel like a fitting tribute or a joyful celebration, but researchers say the practice causes lasting harm to wildlife and the environment. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System published a report, warning that every balloon released
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Tropical Storm Bertha was about 175 miles southeast of Mobile, Alabama, as of 7 a.m. CDT on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. The National Hurricane Center in Miami issued Intermediate Advisory 8A at that time, placing the storm's center near latitude 28.8 North, longitude 86.2 West. Maximum sustain
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — An Elberta woman has been named the American Legion Auxiliary Volunteer of the Year for the State of Alabama. Judi Wheat received the honor at a recent district meeting at American Legion Post 99 in Foley. Alabama State American Legion Auxiliary President Carla Biniecki presented the award. Famil
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Foley has lowered the speed limit on Irwin Street to improve access for low-speed vehicles. The Foley City Council gave final approval to an ordinance implementing the change. The new limit is 35 miles per hour, down from 40 miles per hour. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the lower limit wi
