Atmore native Stoney Winston Daw was approved to be the new Flomaton Police Chief Monday night. Currently, a resident of Canoe, Daw carries 48 years of law enforcement experience.

Daw was recommended to be permanent chief by Flomaton Mayor Dewey Bondurant Jr.

Councilman Roger Atkinson made the motion and Councilman Jim Johnson issued the second.

He was approved by a 4-1 vote with Councilman John Sansom voting no and Councilman Clemente Brooks being absent.

Sansom said his vote was not one of disapproval for Daw, but a vote of caution in seeking a permanent chief in light of recent problems surrounding the position of police chief.

Last month, Daniel Thompson resigned from the position after coming under criminal investigation involving the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. Thompson was hired to replace Geoffery McGraw, who was fired after his own arrest, after allegedly arresting a suspect in Florida and transporting them across state lines.

Tracy Owens has filled in as interim chief since Thompson’s resignation.

Bondurant thanked Owens for his service.

Owens thanked the council for the opportunity, expressing his love and loyalty to Flomaton.

Owens also affirmed his full support of new Police Chief Daw.

Daw, 71, graduated from Escambia County High School and has spent the past two years with the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office.

He began his law enforcement career in 1964 with the Alabama Highway Patrol. After a year with the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board, Daw spent 27 years serving with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.