Ed Paulk, a 32-year law enforcement veteran who has been a leader in the church fires investigation, will become State Fire Marshal on April 1. He succeeds Richard Montgomery, who retires March 31.
Paulk has been Assistant State Fire Marshal since 1999. He has served with the Alabama State Fire Marshals Office since 1984.
“We are truly blessed to be able to make a seamless transition from one outstanding law enforcement officer to another,” Insurance Commissioner Walter A. Bell said. “Ed and Richard have worked side by side on dozens of cases – most recently, the church fires investigation. Richard did a superb job as State Fire Marshal, and I know that Ed will, too.
“While we are sad that Richard has decided to retire, we can rest assured that the State Fire Marshals Office will be in steady hands with Ed as its leader. We’ve known that our State Fire Marshals have performed admirably for years, but with the nation’s attention focused on them in recent months, they have done our state proud.”
Paulk served with the Montgomery Police Department for six years prior to joining the State Fire Marshals Office. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army.
“I am honored to have been appointed State Fire Marshal and look forward to serving the people in this capacity,” Paulk said.
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