DOTHAN: Dothan Fire Department had major changes on January 1, 2026. With the birth of a new year came the beginning on a new leadership.
Having served 19 years as Dothan Fire Chief, Larry Williams retired. On January 1, 2026 Dothan Fire Deputy Chief became Dothan Fire Chief. That change trickled into several changes within the department.
A new pay period with the City of Dothan on February 8. With the new pay period began the tenure with some promotions and transfers within Dothan Fire Department.
PROMOTIONS: Battalion Chief Shane Ash has been promoted to Deputy Fire Chief in charge of Operations.
Captain Grant Henrdrix has been promoted to Battalion Chief. Captain John Penn has been promoted to Battalion Chief.
TRANSERS: Battalion Chief David Harrison has been transfered to Fire Prevention. Captain Jeremy Alley has been transferred to Operations Division. Sgt. Ethyn Wilkerson has been transferred from a firefighter shift to Training Division.
Today, we celebrate the birthday of the Clark family matriarch and our esteemed Chairwoman of the Board, Marty Clark.
We are grateful for her guidance and inspired by her commitment to excellence. Please join us in wishing Marty a wonderful birthday filled with joy, appreciation, and celebration! 💙
DOTHAN: 7:02 PM Dothan 911 has dispatched Dothan Police, Dothan Fire, and Pilcher Ambulance to the 4600 block of Montgomery Highway in Dothan. The dispatched call is a vehicle verses a pedestrian.
Dothan Fire Engine Company Six ( Napier Field Road ) and Truck 3 ( Whatley Drive ), and Battalion Chief Braswell responded.
On arrival the pedestrian was found to be deceased.
Dothan Police CRASH Team has been dispatched and Houston County Coroner’s Office has been dispatched to the scene.
Dothan Police are in charge of the accident investigation.
GENEVA COUNTY – SAMSON: On Saturday evening Geneva County 911 received a 911 call of an accidental gunshot of a hunter.
Geneva County Sheriff Deputies and Samson Rescue were dispatched. On arrival a hunter was found deceased from an apparent gunshout wound.
Geneva County Coroner Donny Adkinson was dispatched to the scene. Alabama Game and Fish Officers were also dispatched.
In a joint investigation by Geneva County Sheriff Department, Geneva County Coroner’s Office and Alabama Game and Fish Officers it was determined the shooting death was self inflicted and accidental.
UPDATED @ 8:45 PM
The deceased has beeen indeitified at 67 year old Gary Wayne Sutton from Red Level Alabama.
DOTHAN: 9:53 PM Dothan 911 dispatched a structure fire at 116 Woods Drive. Reports are flames coming from the stove which are visible from the back door.
9:54 PM Dothan Fire Engine Company 2 ( Lakewood ), Engine Company 10 ( West Main ),Engine 1 ( Central ), Truck 1 ( Central ) and Battalion Chief 2, Jack Wood, enroute.
9:55 PM Rehab 1 ( Lakewood ) enroute ).
9:55 PM Pilcher Ambulance responding.
9:56 PM A off duty Dothan Police Patrol unit has moved the stove to the back yard.
9:57 PM Dothan Fire Engine 10 has arrived. Reports nothing visible. All units go to Level 1 staging.
9:57 PM Dothan Fire Engine 2, and Engine 1 on the scene, staging.
9:58 PM DOthan Fire Battalion Chief 2, Jack Wood, on the scene.
9:59 PM Pilcher Ambulance arrived on the scnee.
9:59 PM Dothan Fire Engine Company 10 reported fire contained to a stove outside, Engine 10 can handle and all units can return to service.
Dothan Police Patrol Division also responded.
UPDATED @ 10:14 PM
Dothan Fire Engine Company 10 ( West Main ) reported ventilation complete. One Smoke Detetectot installed. Engine 10 in service.
Today I placed this orange floral arrangement with the #12 on the ribbon in the arms of the Angel of Hope for Blake Bowen.
July 28, 1992 – January 30, 2026
Blake was born July 28, 1992, in Dothan to Leonard Carlton Bowen & Vicki Odom Prickett.
A proud 2011 graduate of Rehobeth High School, Blake’s work ethic was evident early on.
Following graduation, he attended Lineman School at Wallace Community College, a foundation that led to a dedicated 9 ½-year career at Farley Nuclear Plant.
There, he served as a skilled Refueling Technician with Dry Cask Storage.
While his days were spent in the nuclear industry, Blake’s entrepreneurial spirit flourished in the local community.
He was a visionary real estate developer, owning and operating Bowen Estates, Next Level Real Estate, Bowen & Green Properties, and Newton Creek Properties.
Blake’s true first love, however, was found in the red clay and the roar of an engine.
A dirt track racing enthusiast since he was a small boy, Blake famously built his first car and competed in his first race at just 12 years old.
Over the years, he raced various car classes across Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi, earning a reputation as a fierce and respected competitor.
His commitment to the sport went beyond the driver’s seat.
In February 2020, Blake brought racing back to his community by reopening Dothan Motor Speedway in Cottonwood after it had sat dormant for a decade.
Opening to a sell-out crowd, he served as the promoter for two years, revitalizing the track for a new generation of fans.
Blake’s final chapters in racing were marked by triumph.
He won his last two races at his home track, Dothan Motor Speedway racing sprint and non-wing cars, and recently made local history in November 2025 by winning the first-ever Figure 8 Demolition Derby at the National Peanut Festival.
Blake became curious about taking to the skies as a young man.
After his father earned his license and owned a plane Blake continuously told his father that he would do the same, and if you know Blake when he says it, he DOES it.
He walked into ACOM Aviation with his mind set on a goal and the rest was history.
He earned his pilot certificate in no time and began flying.
Blake being the man he was and taking everything to the max he ended up buying a “project plane” and worked hard to turn it into one of the cleanest and most advanced Piper Cherokee Six’s on the market.
He flew the plane on multiple adventures including vacations to the Florida Keys and the Bahamas, as well as races and Brailynn’s volleyball tournaments.
His kind heart even flew a family in need all the way to Pittsburgh and back to assure their young baby boy could get the care he needed.
Blake had a curiosity that turned into a love and a passion for flying.
A truly good man and a true aviator indeed.
Blake will always be loved, missed and remembered by
his loving wife of almost 10 years, Allison Kay Bowen; his two daughters, Brailynn Kay Bowen, and Brynlee Grace Bowen; his parents, Vicki & Terry Prickett, and Leonard & Jan Bowen; his three sisters, Erica Weller (Mathew), Shannon Garber (Jamie), and Robin Prickett; his four brothers, Patrick Prickett, Ryan Schueler, Blair Schueler, and Chase Schueler; his sister-in-law, Ann Marie Cook; his special nephews, Beauden Weller, Harrison Weller, Trotter Cook, Joshua & Jacob Herevia; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.
