Brewer joins GOHS

ATLANTA - A Gainesville man, who left the Hall County Sheriff's Office last fall after an alcohol-related incident, is now working for the Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS).

GOHS Director Harris Blackwood said Tuesday that Jim "Bimbo" Brewer is a planner in the agency's law enforcement services division.

Brewer resigned his job with the sheriff's office last October following an incident at Northeast Georgia Medical Center the night of September 30. (See earlier story. First link below.)

Brewer, a victim/witness advocate for the department who was off-duty and not on call that night, was called to the hospital by dispatchers, according to a statement released by the sheriff's office at the time of his resignation. When he arrived a fellow officer noticed an odor of alcohol on his breath and notified a supervisor, according to the statement.

The supervisor went to the hospital and relieved Brewer of his duties. At a follow-up meeting on October 1, Brewer took responsibility for his actions and submitted his resignation letter. The statement indicated that Brewer said "his only desire was to serve the victims' family."

The incidents in question involved a fellow officer who lost a child and another family member who had been involved in a fatal car crash, according to the statement.

The statement further read, "Jim 'Bimbo' Brewer has been a tremendous asset not only to this department, but more importantly to this community. He has served the needs of hundreds of victims and their family members during some of the most difficult times in their lives. It's unfortunate that his overwhelming desire to serve led to a momentary lapse in judgment, but the manner in which he took full responsibility for his actions is true to his character."

When asked about making Brewer a part of his team at GOHS given the circumstances surrounding his departure from the sheriff's office, Blackwood said Tuesday "Mr. Brewer has been working in law enforcement for approximately 15 years and holds POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certification. He resigned from his previous position and his law enforcement certification is in good standing with no disciplinary action." Blackwood added, "He brings strong qualifications and is already an asset to our agency."

The GOHS frequently campaigns against drinking and driving in Georgia and its website home page Tuesday afternoon featured at least four mentions of programs, news clips, etc. related to drinking and driving.

Blackwood said the position Brewer now holds was vacant and "followed the departure of our division director to another state agency. The previous holder of the position was promoted." He said Brewer is making $59,292 a year.

This is not the first time Brewer and Blackwood have worked together. Many years ago they hosted an afternoon radio show on WDUN in Gainesville.