Fort Bragg’s new police chief.
Longtime local officer returns to head department following Chief Lizzaraga's retirement
Lt. John Naulty, a veteran Fort Bragg police officer commended as a hero for his actions on a tragic day in Mendocino Coast history, has been named as interim police chief starting Feb.3, City Hall announced this week.
Current Chief Fabian Lizarraga, who announced his retirement in December, is expected to stay on the job through Feb. 14.
“I am super excited to return to law enforcement, particularly here, where I began my career,” Naulty stated in a City Hall press release. “It’s a real honor to be sought out to fill this position. I respect the fact that the City Manager looked locally to fill this key position. I have watched the changes happening in the City over the last few years and feel fortunate to have the opportunity to serve my community.”
Naulty is a 35-year veteran on police forces in Fort Bragg and Brentwood, the vast majority of his servicer in Fort Bragg. His last active day on the job was March 19, 2014, when Mendocino County Sheriff’s Lt. Ricky Del Fiorentino was shot and killed while confronting a deranged gunman in Cleone. Naulty ended the lethal shooting rampage by exchanging fire with the gunman, who did not survive.
“Naulty received multiple commendations for his heroic actions in March 2014 in response to an incident involving an armed robbery and kidnapping suspect. Naulty was the first officer on the scene after Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputy Ricky Del Fiorentino was shot and killed by the gunman just a few miles north of Fort Bragg. Lieutenant Naulty retired from the Fort Bragg Police Department in April, 2015,” stated the press release.
“John Naulty retired as Lieutenant with the Fort Bragg Police Department in April, 2015, after 35 years in law enforcement,” it continued. “Naulty began his law enforcement career in 1980 when he was hired as a Reserve Officer by the City of Fort Bragg.
After graduating from the Police Academy, Naulty became a Police Officer with the Department. Over the next two decades, he held a number of positions in Fort Bragg and rose up through the ranks. He was the first Fort Bragg officer assigned to the Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force and he was named the Fort Bragg Police Department Narcotics Officer of the Year. He was also a California Narcotics Officer Association (CNOA) Al Stewart nominee, a Detective, a K-9 officer, a Field Training Officer (FTO), and a Firearms Taser instructor. In 1996, Officer Naulty was promoted to the rank of Sergeant where he supervised patrol and managed the Department’s field training officers, firearms, and K-9 programs.”
Naulty also served as a police officer in Brentwood, where according to the press release, he “completed Supervisory Leadership Training and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management. Naulty returned to the Fort Bragg Police Department in 2011
to serve as its Lieutenant.”
According to a City Hall press release, “Fabian Lizarraga announced his retirement as Fort Bragg’s Police Chief at a City Council meeting in December.Chief Lizarraga served in the role for nearly 5 years and his distinguished career includes 37 years with the Los Angeles Police Department. Chief Lizarraga leaves the department in good form and fully staffed for the first time in his tenure.”
City Manager Tabatha Miller said she is grateful to have an experienced local hero willing to step in and help the Police Department during this transition.