Former Gulf Shores Police Chief on Administrative Leave in Pelham During Investigation
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
September 28, 2026
PELHAM, Ala. The former police chief of Gulf Shores, who retired and soon afterwards was appointed the police chief in Pelham, Alabama, has been sidelined.
Police Chief Edward Delmore is on administrative leave and under investigation, though neither Delmore nor the mayor of Pelham will say what’s going on.
The mayor’s office said that they do not disclose personnel matters, and city officials have not confirmed that it is a firing.
Delmore, who took over as Pelham’s police chief in April 2025 after 15 years in Gulf Shores, says the leave came after a series of events involving the city manager, Gretchen DiFante.
According to Delmore:
DiFante abruptly took vacation leave and later displayed “manic, paranoid and inappropriate behavior,” including signs of intoxication.
He raised concerns about her conduct to the mayor, Rick Wash, and requested an independent investigation.
Wash told Delmore there were no misconduct allegations against him, but the city attorney later sent an email about an investigation and a request for confidentiality.
The same day, Wash emailed Delmore placing him on leave pending the investigation’s completion.
Acting Chief Deputy Kevin Davis is currently serving in the interim.
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