Four finalists remain in the running for the chief of police position in Port Arthur.

Five names were released late last week; this week,  finalist Jon Carona said he voluntarily withdrew.

“It was a tough decision,” Carona said, adding any of the remaining finalists would make a great chief.

Carona served with Port Arthur Police Department for more than 27 years. He retired in 2017. His reason for withdrawing was to focus on his business and other ventures. He and his wife are real estate agents and business owners.

The remaining four include

• PAPD Deputy Chief Martin “Bubba” Blitch

• Tim Duriso, supervisory special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration who had worked for PAPD for 13 years prior

• John Leger, SWAT commander with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, who previously spent 18 years with PAPD

• Alton Baise, who has over 32 years experience in police work and is currently employed with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office as fugitive warrant officer and was previously employed with PAPD.

Interim city manager Harvey Robinson has formed a committee consisting of him and two other people whose names have not been released. The committee is interviewing finalists, checking background information and making other contacts.

Afterward, the committee will discuss the results and Robinson will make a recommendation, possibly during the July 31 City Council meeting.

Robinson opted not to use a search firm to help find a new chief.

The last time the city sought a police chief they hired the search firm Strategic Government Resources and none of the finalists were internal.

The chief chosen, Patrick Melvin, resigned his post May 19 after less than two years with the department.