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At Stroke Of Midnight - Dothan Police Unit 337 is Officially RETIRED

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 2849

Posted by: RStokes
[email protected]
3347901729
Date: Feb 28 2021 11:03 PM

DOTHAN:   At the stroke of midnight the City of Dothan will close one chapter and open a new chapter for the Office of Chief of Police.


Steve Parrish began his career with the City of Dothan Police Department in 1984 following his four year service in the United States Air Force. Parrish was in the Military Police on his completion of his tour of duty.


When Steve Parrish started in 1984 the Dothan Police Department was led by then Chief of Police Kater Williams. Parrish came in as a Detention Officer. It did not take long for Police Chief Kater Williams to see the strengths of Steve Parrish and promote him to a street officer.


That started movement for Steve Parrish into what would become several "firsts" during his tenure as a Police Officer.


After several years on the streets, Steve Parrish moved the the Vice and Narcotics Division as an investigator. There he became a "first" when promoted to the rank of Sergeant and became Dothan Police's first K-9 handler. This was in 1990.


Steve Parrish was then promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and assumed duties as a Patrol Shift Commander. As a Patrol Shift Commander at the rank of Lieutenant, you are responsible for all of the officer's in Patrol Division on duty. Every marked car and original call that occurs in the City of Dothan by a Dothan Police Officer, the Patrol Shift Commander is responsible for.


It was not long the command staff of the Dothan Police Department, who had seen the integrity and work habits of Steve Parrish, realized he was needed back in Vice and Narcotics as the Lieutenant Commander.


In 2000 Steve Parrish was promoted to the rank of Captain. Steve Parrish commanded several divisions of the police department as a Captain. During his tenure as a Captain it was Steve Parrish that helped keep the Dothan Police Department together as much as possible. Because the "most important hire as Mike West tenure as City Manager would be" in turn was almost the worse hire he ever made as City Manager. And that was John Powell as Police Chief.


Not much a Captain could do, but it was Steve Parrish who was one of the few that attempted to keep the department together during those five years.


Another "first" for Steve Parrish was after Greg Benton was promoted to the rank of Major. The second in command for the entire Dothan Police Department. This was 2010, and as Major Parrish was the Assistant Police Chief and responsible for all bureaus of the department.


On the retirement of Greg Benton, the Dothan City Commission and Mayor Mike Schmitz appointed Steve Parrish as Chief of Police for the City of Dothan.


Steve Parrish was the "first" K-9 handler of the Dothan Police Department. Steve Parrish was the "first" Major of the Dothan Police Department. But Steve Parrish had more "firsts" up his sleeve. And as Chief of Police he was now in a position to make some more "firsts".


Steve Parrish launched the Dothan Police Foundation. CLICK FOR FOUNDATION


The Foundation was formed in 2016 to help improve our community by leveraging public-private partnerships to accomplish our goals, which are:



  • Promote excellence in police services

  • Mobilize the community to support the Dothan Police Department

  • Provide programs to make the most impact to crime prevention, emergency services preparedness and economic development.


Our Mission


Our mission is to make Dothan the safest and most inviting city for all its residents, workers and visitors.


Our Vision


Our vision is a safe city that is good for people, good for business, and good for life.


Through this "firsts", Chief Steve Parrish led the way for the: (1) Community First Initiative (2) Police Training and Education (3) Pro-Life Animal Services (4) New Animal Shelter.


Were you aware through the Dothan Police Foundation and the City of Dothan, Chief Steve Parrish was able to convince Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba and members of the Dothan Commission to purchase land on Highway 52 West for a new Dothan Animal Shelter?


Some of the "firsts" initiated and created by Chief Steve Parrish.


WIREGRASS TRAINING CENTER 


Dothan Police Chief Steve Parrish and Dothan Fire Chief Larry Williams, in conjunction with Dr. Barbara Alford and the Wiregrass Foundation made dreams come true. 


With their combined visions and plans, Dothan Alabama has a training center for Police - Fire - EMS  - First Responders like none other. A facility which costs over $ 22 million dollars designed to teach those to serve and protect.


It was a "firsts" which was made complete under the combined leadership of Chief Parrish, Chief Williams and Dr. Alford.


EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER 


Under Chief Parrish the City of Dothan/Houston County Communications District completed the Joint Emergency Operations Center. The Dothan Police 911 Center, Houston County Sheriff 911 Center, Dothan-Houston County Emergency Management Center all in a combined joint facility. At the time of Chief Parrish retirement he served as Chairman of the Board.


FACEBOOK AND TWITTER  


Dothan Police Chief Steve Parrish kicked off a Dothan Police Facebook, web page and Twitter account. A way to stay connected. Daily Chief Parrish interacted with the community in connecting on facebook. Almost daily Chief Parrish would take the time to wish Happy Birthdays to those on the facebook account. Chief Parrish believed in the interaction with the public, accepting and returning phone calls.


And there were more "firsts"...


NEXT TO THE LAST 


When Chief Parrish started with Dothan the radio call numbers were: 2A1 - Chief of Police; all police command staff followed as 2A... down the line: 2K1 - Criminal Investigation Lieutenant and all others followed down the line; 2W1 - Juvenile Division Lieutenant and others down the line: 2T1 - Traffic Lieutenant and all others followed down the line.


The Patrol Division, first shift Lieutenant 101, second shift 201, third shift 301, and patrol units were zones 112, 115, 116 Second Shift 212, 215, 216 ... and so on.


Under then Dothan Police Chief John White the call number for each officer changed to represent their badge number. Then Chief John White was 169. No specific designation as Chief, just the badge number he joined the force with.


Steve Parrish who began in 1984 began with badge number 337. Through the ranks his radio call number remained the same with no special designation as he became Chief of Police other than 337.


Today the radio call numbers range into the 1250 plus call numbers.


At the stroke of midnight when Steve Parrish is "officially retired", there is only one officer within the 200 plus of the Dothan Police Department which remains full time in the 300 radio call number ( badge number ) still working with the Dothan Police Department. Captain Scott Long is number 360.


Parrish and Long were the last two remaining with the department full time in the 300 range.


SIXTY MINUTES LEFT  


There is 60 minutes left until the stroke of midnight. Dothan Police Chief will officially be retired and his number one goal will have been reached. That no Dothan Police Officer lost their life during his watch.


Chief Parrish has loved and appreciated all in the Dothan Police Department that has made his tenure a success. It was his leadership but a team effort.


In 60 minutes Steve Parrish has passed the sword to Will Benny who assumes the role as Dothan Police Chief.


Chief Parrish, thank you for your service since 1984. Thanks for your service since 2015 as leader of the Dothan Police Department. Thanks for all of the "firsts" you have had vision in leading the Dothan Police Department.


Wish you well in the future and retirement years.




 




At Stroke Of Midnight - Dothan Police Unit 337 is Officially RETIRED

At Stroke Of Midnight - Dothan Police Unit 337 is Officially RETIRED

Family First Funeral Home

At Stroke Of Midnight - Dothan Police Unit 337 is Officially RETIRED

At Stroke Of Midnight - Dothan Police Unit 337 is Officially RETIRED

At Stroke Of Midnight - Dothan Police Unit 337 is Officially RETIRED

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