Remembering Al Fiore

Former Westport Police Chief Al Fiore died this morning.

The Westport Police Department says:

With extremely heavy hearts, the Westport Police Department announces the passing of former Chief of Police Alfred R. Fiore this morning.

A native of Shelton, Connecticut but a long-time resident of the town of
Westport that he proudly served, Chief Fiore once spoke of how his interest in law enforcement began in his high school years, where many of his football coaches were employed as police officers. This budding intrigue in their jobs led him to pursue an education in the field.

He graduated from the University of New Haven with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice.

He later graduated from Session 153 of the Federal Bureau of Investigations’ National Academy for Law Enforcement Leaders.

Chief Fiore was sworn in as an officer of the Westport Police Department in
July of 1978. He quickly rose through the ranks. holding the titles of detective, sergeant, inspector and deputy chief, before assuming the top command role of our agency.

Al Fiore

He was appointed Chief of Police on January 1, 2004, succeeding William Chiarenzelli.

He served in this role with distinction until his retirement on June 1, 2010, which was on paper only. He continued in his role as chief of police on a
contractual basis, helping prepare the next group of leaders for the difficult task
ahead.

Finally, after 33 years of dedicated service to the field of law enforcement, Chief Fiore called it a career in September of 2011, passing responsibility to Chief Dale Call.

Al Fiore and Officer Foti Koskinas. He later succeeded Dale Call, who followed Fiore as police chief.

Chief Fiore will be remembered fondly for his dedication to duty, and unwavering support of the men and women of the Westport Police Department as well as the community he fondly called his home.

Many of the officers hired during his tenure as chief still serve Westport today. They remain grateful for his leadership, example and guidance.

Memorial services have not yet been announced. Our deepest condolences are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

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In 2011, Al Fiore retired as Westport’s police chief. “06880” saluted him with this story — headlined “Hail to the Chief.”

Police chief Al Fiore retired this month, after 33 years on the Westport force.

It all began with a newspaper ad.

In high school, some of his football coaches were police officers. He enjoyed hearing about their work. He went to college for a degree in criminal justice — then earned it after joining the Westport Police Department in 1978.

Fiore loved his job — and his adopted community. He calls Westport “a great town, and a great place to work.”

Before his appointment as chief, Fiore spent many years in the detective bureau. He liked delving into cases — and bringing them to resolution. Patrolmen, he notes, don’t always have the opportunity to follow cases through to the end.

As a detective he worked in nearly every area, from minor larcenies to homicides. The big cases get the headlines, he says — but he always reminded himself that to the people involved, every case is important.

Fiore became chief of police on January 1, 2004. The best part of the past 7 years?

“Without question, the men and women who worked with me,” he answers instantly.

“They’re wonderful people. I just tried to give them the resources to do their job safely and effectively.”

He also liked the variety of police work. “Just when you think you’ve seen it all,” he says, “something else happens that makes you shake your head in surprise.”

Chief Al Fiore (right), at a Police Department golf tournament. From left: Dave Eason, Paul Tolentino, Kevin Clark,

While he will miss his colleagues — and many other Westporters in Town Hall, on various boards and throughout the community — Fiore will see them often.  He’s staying here.

What won’t he miss? Middle-of-the-night phone calls.

“It’s been 33 years, and I enjoyed every day of it,” Fiore says. “I really did look forward to coming to work every day. But I knew it was time to look ahead to other great things.” Among them:  work in the private security sector.

“There are a lot of great people who can sit in the chief’s chair,” he says.

But we’ll certainly miss the man who most recently sat there.