Cedar Bluff Police Department

03/09/2026

On Friday, March 6, 2026, the Cedar Bluff Police Department and the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office conducted an inspection at the Weiss Mart Motel and Weiss Mart Marina, located at 3480 AL Highway 9 in Cedar Bluff.

The Cedar Bluff Police Department had received multiple complaints regarding ordinance violations and suspected illegal narcotics activity at both the motel and the store. As a result, the Police Department initiated an investigation. Due to concerns regarding life safety violations, the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted and asked to assist.

Representatives from the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Town’s Building Inspector, and officers with the Cedar Bluff Police Department responded to the location and made contact with the owner/manager of the property. While speaking with him, officers observed illegal substances in plain view inside the motel room.

A search was conducted of the motel, the owner’s vehicle, and the store. During the search, officers located numerous illegal items in all three locations, including kratom, h**p products, ma*****na, THC vapes and pens, a large sum of U.S. currency, and various items of drug paraphernalia.

While officers were on scene at the store, an Alabama ABC Agent arrived to conduct a separate inspection. During that inspection, the proper documentation could not be provided, and citations will be issued. The store’s liquor license was also seized.

Until the owner obtains the proper licensing and corrects the violations cited during the inspection, both the store and the motel will remain closed.

Chief Jeremy Stepps would like to thank the officers of the Cedar Bluff Police Department and the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office for their assistance with this investigation

12/05/2025

It is with heavy hearts that we have to say, not goodbye, but see ya later, to a hero with four paws and a heart of gold.

🐾 K9 Draco
End of Watch: December 4, 2025

Draco was more than just a K9 — he was family.
A protector. A partner. A warrior.

Thank you for your service, your loyalty, and the sacrifices you made without ever asking for anything in return.

Run free, Draco. We’ll take it from here.

“Heavenly Father, we thank you for the life of our brave K9 partner. You blessed us with his loyalty, courage, and dedication, and we are forever grateful for his service. We ask that you comfort his handler, family, and the entire Cedar Bluff Police department during this difficult time. May we find strength in the memories we have and be inspired by his legacy of protecting the innocent. May he rest in peace, knowing he was more than a dog, but a hero and a beloved member of our family. Amen".

Everyone please keep Sgt Jamie Chatman, his family and the Cedar Bluff Police Department in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

11/23/2025

Cedar Bluff Police Department Launches Annual Christmas Toy Drive The Cedar Bluff Police Department has officially kicked off its annual Christmas Toy Drive, now underway through December 12, 2025. The holiday effort aims to bring joy to children across the community by collecting new, unwrapped toy...

11/23/2025

According to Cedar Bluff Police Chief Jeremy Stepps, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle last night on Martha Vera Lane. Preliminary reports indicate that a small child turned and walked into the path of an oncoming truck, resulting in the child being knocked to the ground.

Emergency responders immediately provided aid at the scene. Atrium Floyd EMS transported the child to Atrium Floyd Cherokee, where the child was subsequently life-flighted to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham for further treatment.

The Cedar Bluff Police Department requested assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. A full investigation into the accident is currently underway. No names are being released at this time.

11/21/2025

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from the Cedar Bluff Police Department. Everyone come out to the Cedar Bluff park this evening from 5-9 for trunk or treat. Food, inflatables and hay rides

03/19/2025

On December 19, 2023, Cedar Bluff Police Officer Dakota DeBerry stopped an 18 wheeler driven by Pero Markis after a 911 call came into Cherokee 911. The 911 caller stated that the 18 wheeler was driving erratic and all over the road. Officer DeBerry spotted the 18 wheeler, traveling on Al Hwy 68 and observed the 18 wheeler cross the centre line into on coming traffic. Officer DeBerry attempted to stop the 18 wheeler, but it continued onto Al Hwy 9 crossing the Cedar Bluff bridge before coming to a stop on the causeway. Officer DeBerry made contact with the driver. Due to safety reasons, Officer DeBerry made the decision to have the driver move to the State boat ramp off of Al Hwy 9. During the interaction, Officer DeBerry noticed that the 18 wheeler did not have a tag. While Officer DeBerry was attempting to verify the registration, Officers discovered 56 half gram bags of fentanyl, located inside the 18 wheeler. The driver, Pero Markis a Serbian national was arrested for drug trafficking and was transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Upon entering the detention center, Markis was placed onto a body scanner by jail staff and several other half gram bags of fentanyl was located on his person. A Cherokee County Investigator was called to the detention center to recover the fentanyl.

All of the evidence was sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science where the substance was tested. The substance returned a positive result for fentanyl.

The cases were later presented to a Cherokee County grand jury where a true bill was returned. The case was set for a jury trial on Monday March 17, 2025. During the trial, Cedar Bluff Police Officer DeBerry, Cherokee County Investigator Smith and Cherokee County Detention Center Sgt. Green gave testimony to the jury about the case. On Tuesday March 18, Pero Markis was found guilty by a Cherokee County jury. Markis was found guilty of Trafficking Fentanyl, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, two counts of Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Promotion Prison Contraband 2nd. The case was presented by the Cherokee County District Attorneys Office Deputy District Attorney Brady Burns and Assistant District Attorney Tori Ingle.

Chief Stepps stated “ this is a case where multiple agency’s were involved with many moving parts and a very dangerous drug. Everyone involved, worked with each other to achieve the end result of a guilty verdict.

The Cedar Bluff Police Department will continue its efforts to take drugs off the streets and place those responsible in jail. I am very proud of the hard work of all involved and when everyone works together, this is the end result said Chief Stepps.

03/14/2025

Ahead of possible severe weather over the next several days,and in general this time of year, it is a good idea to know where your local storm shelters are located and what to do in the event of tornadoes or severe weather. Even if you have a safe place at your residence or place of

01/16/2025

During the Town Council meeting on Monday, Police Chief, Jeremy Stepps, gave the Council the department’s report for December. Officers patrolled 11,561 miles during the month, issued 58 warnings, issued 19 citations, made 7 felony arrests, 16 misdemeanor arrests, served 7 warrants, issued 42 inci...

01/02/2025

According to Police Chief Jeremy Stepps, Cedar Bluff Police arrested 15 people for the month of December. The arrest is as followed:

Lindsey Busby- Failure to Appear on traffic
Mable Pangle- Failure to Appear on traffic
Dan Wacaster- Failure to Appear on traffic
Juliett Barger- Theft of Property 4th, Criminal Mischief 3rd, Disordley Conduct
Jackie Epps- Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Terry Henderson- Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Ma*****na 2nd, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Jason Jaco- Harassment x2, Menacing x2
Gerry Parker- Unlawful Possession of a Sawed-Off Rifle/Shotgun, Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess a Firearm
James Zuber- Failure to Appear on Traffic
Corey Culver- Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance x3, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphilia, Resisting Arrest and Driving Under the Influence
Kaleb Johnson- Failure to Appear on Traffic
Jason Bryson- Unlawful Possession of Ma*****na 2nd, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Ashley Gott- Theft of Property 4th
Bianca Harben- Failure to Appear on Traffic
Jeffery Baldwin- Other Agency Arrest

Miles Patrolled- 11,561
Crime Tips Answered-4
Traffic Citations-19
Written Warnings-58
Monthly Business Checks-6640
Incident/Offense Reports- 42

Cedar Bluff Police Department is dedicated to keeping drugs off of our streets, protecting our citizens and communities, said Chief Stepps.