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