By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The Alabaster Police Department arrested state Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, and charged him with one count of driving under the influence of alcohol shortly before 1 p.m. on July 1 after the department received a report of a potentially drunken driver on Alabama 119, according to Alabaster Police Chief Curtis Rigney.

During a July 2 press conference, Rigney read a brief statement regarding the arrest, and said Ward allegedly failed several field sobriety tests. According to his arrest report, Ward was driving a 2008 Mercedes E350 at the time he was pulled over.

July 1 marked the first time Ward has been arrested, according to the arrest report.

“The officer initiated a traffic stop on Thompson Road at Warrior Park,” Rigney said, noting the call came in at 12:46 p.m. on July 1. “As the officer spoke to Mr. Ward, Mr. Ward exhibited signs of intoxication. Mr. Ward was asked to perform several field sobriety tests, which he failed.”

Ward was then placed under arrest on the DUI charge and transported to the Alabaster Police Department jail. He was later transported to the Shelby County Jail with a $1,000 bond. He was transported back to the Alabaster jail early on July 2, where he was released on bond at 5:21 a.m.

He is scheduled to appear in Alabaster Municipal Court on Aug. 12, Rigney said.

Rigney did not take questions during the press conference, and did not release Ward’s blood-alcohol level at the time of the arrest. After the press conference, Rigney’s assistant said the department would not publicly release evidence in the case, and said it “is to be viewed only by a court of law.”

Shortly after he was released from jail, Ward issued a public apology and said he plans to seek professional assistance to combat his alcohol problems.

“My failure at dealing with stress led me to make incredibly reckless decisions. I recognize that I used alcohol as a crutch,” Ward wrote in a statement to the Shelby County Reporter. “I was very wrong and deeply apologize to my family, friends and constituents. I plan on seeking professional assistance immediately.”

Ward has been serving District 14 in the Alabama Senate since 2010. Before he was elected to the Senate seat, Ward served two terms in the Alabama House of Representatives.

He is also the executive director of the Alabaster Industrial Development Board.