Members of the Birmingham Fraternal Order of Police voted Tuesday night to endorse Randall Woodfin for mayor.
AL.com was told Woodfin received 30 votes and incumbent Birmingham Mayor William Bell received 13. Three members abstained from the vote.
The Birmingham FOP has 1,147 active members. It is the largest fraternal police organization in the state of Alabama.
The body endorsed Bell ahead of the Aug. 22 municipal election. Birmingham FOP President Sgt. Heath Boackle issued of letter of endorsement to Bell on Aug. 16.
Bell and Woodfin will face each other in the Oct. 3 runoff.
Retired Birmingham police Det. Kenneth Prevo, FOP lifetime member and former FOP vice president, issued this statement through Woodfin's campaign on Wednesday:
"This vote is reflective of the overwhelming sentiment among the FOP membership. The FOP has a real opportunity to sit at the table and help Mr. Woodfin implement his public safety plan as Mayor of Birmingham.
"The FOP cares about respect, retention and retirement. Birmingham Police deserve good wages, good healthcare and retirement benefits, and improved workplace conditions that will allow us to do our jobs. This is a turning point for the Birmingham Police Department to form a new relationship with City Hall. We are thankful that Mr. Woodfin approached us to open a dialogue with the FOP."
In a statement on his campaign Facebook page, Woodfin said he is honored to receive the FOP endorsement.
"Every day, I am inspired by the courage of our first responders," he stated. "Sadly, William Bell has failed to treat these brave men and women like the true heroes they are. Experienced employees should be rewarded for their commitment and years of service to our city. As mayor, I would restore annual cost-of-living salary adjustments and longevity pay for Birmingham Police and Fire & Rescue personnel -- a policy Bell abandoned."
Bell's campaign issued this statement on Wednesday to AL.com: "It is sad to see Randall Woodfin playing political games with our police officers. Randall Woodfin has not spent one day experiencing the tough job these men and women do for our city each and every day. For him to try to pull this stunt with the city's police officers is embarrassing. Mayor William Bell has been endorsed by the FOP due to his proven leadership and experience and he will continue to support all of our police officers."