By Andria Simmons
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Lawrenceville Police Department said goodbye to two veteran officers this week - one who was buried and another who was fired for allegedly driving drunk just hours after the funeral.
Most of the officers in the department attended a funeral Sunday afternoon for retired Lt. Frank Otto, a 28-year veteran who had died after a long illness.
A department spokesman said Stuart Gaines, a criminal investigator and 15-year employee, was among the mourners at the service and the burial in Lawrenceville.
Other officers saw Gaines leave Gwinnett Memorial Park Cemetery alone about 4 p.m., Maj. Paul King said Tuesday.
About two hours later, Gaines was driving his unmarked patrol car on U.S. 129 in Gainesville when he rear-ended a white Lincoln Town Car, according to the Georgia State Patrol post in Gainesville.
A trooper notified the Lawrenceville Police Department that Gaines was being charged with DUI. Gaines’ supervisor met with them at the scene, according to King.
“They detected alcoholic beverage coming from him and felt like with the way he was talking and his demeanor, he was at some level intoxicated,” King said.
Gaines was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville for treatment of a cut to the eye. The other driver also was evaluated at the hospital as a precaution after he complained of soreness, King said.
Gaines was released on bond from the Hall County Jail Sunday and was fired Monday. The tight-knit department is still reeling.
“It was a tough day for the entire department. It started out sadly and ended badly,” King said.
“You can tell it around the department that people are upset, but they also understand they are held to a higher standard. There was no choice but to terminate him.”
Copyright 2008 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution