News 12 at 6 o'clock, July 3, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga.---Richmond County's lead fire investigator is finding himself in hot water after being arrested on DUI charges.

"Well things happen. It's human nature," said Fire Chief Howard Willis. Chief Willis says this is where the real test begins...how his team reacts when things get heated.

"I want our people to know that we gonna carry forward, and I want the community to know that we gonna carry forward, and we gonna make sure they get the professional services that they deserve," said Chief Willis.

This comes as an investigation gets underway and questions swirl...was Hannan driving on company time?

"He was not driving a county vehicle. I'll tell you that, and that's it," said Chief Willis.

Even still, Hannan is on suspension with pay as the facts flood in.

"I want all of our people in the fire service to be professional about their job whether on duty or off duty. I'm not saying that he was unprofessional...people...what they do on their own time I can't control that," said Chief Willis.

"He blew a .213. The legal limit is .08," said Lt. Scott Gay with Special Operations.

That was more than enough to land a 25 year veteran fire investigator in jail.

"We hate that these things happen, but we're in law enforcement, and we treat every body the same," said Gay.

Lt. Hannan is scheduled to go before a judge on July 15, 2008.