Edgewater’s Michael Cox Sworn in as Fire Chief

Edgewater’s own Michael Cox Jr. was sworn in as Anne Arundel County’s Fire Chief on Monday morning in front of a packed crowd at the County Council Chambers.

Cox, who was serving as acting chief after the retirement of Chief Robert Ray in May, has more than 25 years of experience with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department. County Executive Laura Neuman said his time of service was just one of the many reasons he was appointed chief. 

“There are many opportunities to recognize folks who serve our community and this is a particularly special one,” Neuman said. “I am so pleased that after so much searching and looking and interviewing we found the perfect person for this job; the best candidate. A person to take our fire department into the future.”

Cox, an Edgewater native and Anne Arundel County resident of 33 years, started his career in fire fighting at the age of 16 when he joined the Woodland Beach Volunteer Fire Department. 

After the ceremony, Cox said it was his ability to build friendships and work with people in the department that allows him to accomplish tasks.

“I have kind of been the person who looks at the issues and not necessarily the personalities, and it doesn’t matter what group it is,” Cox said. “I really have a great ability to bring everyone together to accomplish a result.”

Councilman Jerry Walker was among the crowd of people present to watch Cox officially take over as chief.

“Not only does District 7 have the fire chief, we also have the police chief as well,” Walker said. “So the police chief is from Crofton the fire chief is from Edgewater. So for south county this is great, and I am really excited about it.”

When Cox was sworn in on Monday, his wife and two children surrounded him. Neuman asked Cox’s son if he wanted to be a fire fighter one day—to which he said, “No I am going to be in the NFL.”