Gadsden Fire Chief Stephen Carroll reported Tuesday to the Gadsden City Council about the department's annual Toys from Santa campaign, and then told them, with a "heavy heart," that the 2020 campaign would be his last as chief.
Carroll told Council members in a teleconference that he plans to retire Feb. 1, after serving 21 and a half years as Gadsden's chief.
The chief got a little emotional talking to the Council — something he jokingly blamed on the COVID-19 vaccine he'd received earlier that morning — about his years with the department, and his appreciation for the support city leaders have shown for the department during his tenure.