Stephen Middlebrooks was promoted to the Deputy Chief of Operations with the city of Covington Fire Department (CFD) recently.

Middlebrooks, a 17-year veteran of the CFD, previously had the rank of captain with the department.

“We have an extensive process we go through for promotions,” CFD Chief Stoney Bowles said. “Stephen consistently had high marks through the evaluation process. We had excellent candidates for this position, but in the end, Stephen graded out at the top of the list. I am very proud of him.”

Middlebrooks said the promotion is bittersweet, but he is anxious to start his new role at Deputy Chief of Operations.

“I’m really going to miss being on the truck with my guys,” Middlebrooks said. “I have a lot of great memories with my fellow fighters over the past 17 years, but I am really looking forward to me new responsibilities.”