Flomaton loses another police chief

FLOMATON, Ala. (WALA) - Flomaton Mayor Dewey Bondurant said Police Chief Daniel Thompson, who was promoted to chief in March of this year, has resigned.

“I always wanted to do something to help people,” said former Flomaton Police Chief Daniel Thompson, said during a FOX10 News interview in July.

The Alabama Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Investigation is conducting a criminal investigation involving Thompson at the request of Escambia County District Attorney Stephen M. Billy.

“I'm worried about him. I really am. He's got four kids at home and a wife, and this is probably the best job he ever had. So I'm really worried about him,” said Bondurant.

Bondurant said he received a call about the resignation and Thompson cited "personal reasons" as the cause. 

The council met behind closed doors briefly Tuesday to discuss the matter.

“I think he's a great guy. I think he made a wrong choice. He's been with our force for a long time. I held him up to the high standards.  I thought he would be a fine police chief,” said Bondurant.

The mayor said council members discussed the possibility for Captain Tracy Owens to take over as interim chief, and following a vetting process, he will likely be named to the position.

Mayor Bondurant said he plans to make the recommendation to council members on Monday.

Thompson makes the fifth police chief who has come and gone in Flomaton. He succeeded Chief Geoffrey McGraw, who is battling his own criminal charges.

“They’re wondering what kind of leader I am,” said Bondurant.

Some people are calling for the demise of the Flomaton Police Department, and requesting that the city contract with the Escambia (Alabama) Sheriff’s Office. 

Bondurant has spoken to the sheriff about this scenario. Bondurant said the sheriff’s office couldn’t provide enough deputies to Flomaton, and the arrangement wouldn’t be feasible.

“We need this little one-horse police station. There’s a lot of crime that we catch, and we’ve just had some bad luck with police chiefs lately,” said Bondurant.

Bondurant is up for re-election this month.  He said he doesn’t think that people hold him responsible for the string of police chiefs that have come and gone.

“I’ve had to make some tough choices,” said Bondurant. “The people of Flomaton know me. I’ve lived here all my life. I work hard. I treat people fair and decent and right.”

Many questions remain about Thompson.  Baptist Hospital officials said he was treated at Jay Hospital in Florida. They can't say for what, but he was transferred to an undisclosed location.

We'll continue to follow this story and dig deeper to found out more.