The City of Union’s fire commander has been suspended without pay after being charged with driving under the influence.

Gerald Anthony “Tony” Gregory, 49, a captain with the Union Public Safety Department, was arrested Friday after a traffic stop by the South Carolina Highway Patrol on S.C. 215. Lance Cpl. Kathy Hiles said a trooper initially stopped Gregory about eight miles outside of Union near Santuck for speeding.

“After speaking with Capt. Gregory he felt there was enough probable cause to arrest him for DUI, which he did,” Hiles said.

Hiles said Gregory was offered and complied with a field sobriety test.

Gregory, an officer with the public safety department since 1985, then submitted to a breathalyzer test. Hiles said she did not know the results. According to state law, a driver who registers .08 is considered intoxicated.

Gregory, of 121 Douglas Heights, was issued a uniform traffic ticket. He was booked into the Union County Jail at 11:35 p.m. and released on $997 personal recognizance bond at 5:45 a.m. Saturday.

Chief Sam White of the Union Public Safety Department said Gregory was off duty and in his personal vehicle when he was arrested.

Gregory, who has been fire commander since 2008, has been suspended without pay. Highway Patrol DUI first offense cases are heard in magistrate’s court. White said he will assume Gregory’s duties until his case is decided or someone else is named fire commander.

White said he did not know the results of Gregory’s breathalyzer test and he did not know if Gregory had passengers in the car when he was stopped.

Gregory was working with the Union County School District when he joined the police reserves in February of 1983. He was hired full time as an officer on April 14, 1985.

Before becoming fire commander, Gregory was a lieutenant who supervised support services, including training, special events and criminal records. As fire commander, he oversees fire department operations.