this caught some people off guard and sherrie johnon is herewith what's -- johnson here with what's next. >> reporter: we will hear from fred bealefeld about his decision to step down. he he has left quite a impact on the charm city going after criminals and determined to catch them. what he calls bad guys with guns maniacs and knuckle heads. according to city leaders he says wants a spend more time with his family. after 31 years as member of the baltimore police department and five years as commissioner, he says it's time to step down. he is one of the longest serving police commissioners in the recent history of the police department. he oversaw a steep decline in the murder rate but it left him exhausted by the pressures of the job. but a parade of departmental scandal come nated headlines and -- dominated headlines and overshadowed his efforts. an off-duty officer killed an unarmed marine during a bar fight and officer convicted dealing drugs from a police station park lot. bealefeld admits he he's had a tough year with personal losses. the departure coincides with his 50th birthday

rotting live in downtown baltimore, sherrie johnon abc2 news. >>> fans will be impacted by the closures because despite the rough loss the o's are back in baltimore for a week long home stand and fans will be headed out to the yard. orioles are tied for the tampa bay rays for the top spot in the al east and with the rangers for the best record in baseball. they lost 14-3 last night to that rangers team. and not too surprising after a 17 inning marathon sunday. first pitch from camden yards tonight is 7:05. >>> the gop pool is running dry. but those remaining candidates three primaries await them today. mitt romney and ron paul face- off in indiana north carolina and west virginia. looks like the former massachusetts governor has another endorsement under himfrom rick santorum. on monday santorum urged supporters to work with the effective republican nominee to keep president obama from being reelected to a second turn. and stay tuned for more results from the primaries. we will keep you posted as the numbers come in. >>> president obama will be in new york today. the state has been prep