A Clanton Police officer was arrested Aug. 5 and faces charges of burglary and theft of property after he allegedly stole a neon sign from a local business early on the morning of Aug. 4.

CPD Chief Brian Stilwell subsequently terminated the employment of David Michael Hegwood, a 22-year department veteran.

“For us, there is nobody here that is above the law,” Stilwell said.

The owner of Boomerang’s, a restaurant still under construction on Highway 31 in southern Clanton, contacted Clanton Police because surveillance video from the business showed a uniformed officer entering and taking a sign that read, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.”

The man on the video was identified as Hegwood. Stilwell was able to confirm that Hegwood’s cruiser was indeed parked at the business for several minutes during the time of the incident by using the department’s Auto Vehicle Locator technology, which maps the location of patrol cars in real time.

The Alabama Bureau of Investigation was asked to help with the case, and Hegwood was arrested at 4:35 p.m. on Aug. 5. He has since posted bond in the amount of $10,750.

Stilwell said there is no indication Hegwood has committed any other crimes while on duty.

“It’s devastating because all the good that we’ve done, all the good that the city council has done, you can throw that out the window because all the public is going to see is this incident.” Stilwell said. “I have to apologize to the public, and I have to apologize to the city.”

Hegwood has until Friday to appeal his termination.

The Advertiser is trying to reach Hegwood for comment Monday afternoon. Check back for updates on this story.