GULF SHORES – There was police recruiting video to review and some officers to praise for the arrest of a murder suspect.
But Mayor Robert Craft somewhat used those worthy presentations to …
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GULF SHORES – There was police recruiting video to review and some officers to praise for the arrest of a murder suspect.
But Mayor Robert Craft somewhat used those worthy presentations to get around to the main reason he wanted Chief Ed Delmore front and center at the July 11 Gulf Shores council meeting.
Delmore is known for being a jokester and known for his quick wit and comedic timing to back up his keen sense of humor.
“He walked me right into it for sure,” Delmore said of the mayor. “I did not see that coming. And I should have.”
Craft had a special award and presentation he wanted to make to Delmore and the stunning recruiting video and the accolades for two of his officers presented him with the opportune moment.
“With Delmore wanting to do his police video and it was a way to get all his people in the room without him knowing what we were doing,” Craft said. “He knew some things were going on but he had no idea we were going to do that.”
With the events around the country involving police departments Craft wanted it known he and gulf Shores were pleased with law enforcement in his city. So he dusted off his first Mayoral Commendation award to give to Delmore.
“Some time back I had created a mayor’s award to be able to give to significant occurrences and events to people in the city, the people who live there not just city employees,” Craft said. “Something I could do as a commendation type of award.
“I decided, given all the issues that affect our police departments around the country and they are under fire, I’m just so pleased with what has happened under Delmore’s watch.”
Craft lined up speakers to praise Delmore from Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack and police chaplain Judy Kranz of Gulf Shores United Methodist Church.
Mack said “Delmore will tell you the truth, though you might not like it.”
Kranz brought in 160 “notes of affirmation, appreciation and encouragement” in the wake of the Dallas police shootings written by children from the church.
City Administrator Steve Griffin spoke about and detailed Delmore’s achievements including: setting a tone that officers are ambassadors for the city, bringing in body cameras, participating in National Night Out, setting up a beach endorsement officers, establishing a police explorer program, a library first responders event, setting up a citizens academy, a youth academy and staffing the high school public safety academy.
Craft said he saved the best for last after reading a tribute to Delmore from his son, Ed Delmore III. The younger Delmore runs the city story and is also an aspiring actor.
But his tribute to his dad wasn’t an act. It was both tearful and touching.
“He commands the spotlight but he would rather give the credit to others,” Delmore III said. “He has spent his entire adult life protecting those who need protecting and teaching others to survive so they can go home to their families at the end of their shifts.
“He is the epitome of what it means to be a great leader and a great police officer.”
And perhaps his final tribute was the most heartfelt.
“I’m proud to have the pleasure of calling him my father and my best friend,” Delmore III said earning a thunderous standing ovation.
