ATLANTA, MI -- A former Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office lieutenant was sentenced Friday, March 3, to one year of probation and 40 hours of community service for drunken driving.

A northern Michigan judge also gave Brian Filipiak a 93-day deferred jail sentence, which means he will only serve the time if he violates probation.

Dressed in a black suit, Filipiak chose to let his attorney do the talking at the sentencing, which took place before 88-2 District Court Judge Benjamin Bolser in Atlanta, the seat of Montmorency County, where the former lieutenant was arrested last November.

"This trip to deer camp on Nov. 13 of last year has had a significant impact on my client's life," said Timothy Arner, Filipiak's Boyne City-based attorney. " ... He's accepted full responsibility for his actions. There's no one to blame but himself. He was thankful, and is thankful, that there were no injuries to anyone on that day or as the result of his driving."

Filipiak was arrested in Rust Township with a blood-alcohol level of 0.28 - more than three times the legal limit. A deputy's body camera footage showed Filipiak trying to talk his way out of the arrest based on his position as a lieutenant in Washtenaw County.

The incident took place for more than half an hour before authorities got the clearly inebriated Filipiak out of his truck and into the back of a patrol car.

Arner told Judge Bolser that Filipiak has acknowledged the deputy's fine police work during the arrest.

"He has contacted and complimented and commended the arresting officer in this case for his professionalism and how (Filipiak) was treated by him," Arner said.

Filipiak was initially charged with misdemeanor operating while intoxicated with a blood-alcohol level of 0.17 or more - commonly referred to as the "super drunk" law. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of operating while intoxicated on Jan. 27, according to court records.

Since the arrest, Filipiak has undergone extensive alcohol rehabilitation, according to Arner.

The terms of his probation include no drinking and frequent alcohol testing. Judge Bolser also ordered Filipiak to perform 40 hours of community service and to pay $1,266 in fines and costs.

"This case is concerning to the court based on your background and your employment history ... and the very high level of blood alcohol content at the time. And the appearance of what occurred at the arrest," Bolser said before passing sentence. "I understand that this event, in essence, has destroyed your life. It ... has had everlasting effects, at least, on your career and on your status in your community, at least based on what I saw in this ... report. My hope is that this has brought you to realize that you have a severe alcohol addiction and a disease that you're going to have to (address) the rest of your life."

Filipiak has lost the title and pay of a lieutenant, but remains employed at the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office. He no longer is a sworn officer, the department said.

He was placed on unpaid administrative leave during the internal investigation and is now employed on a conditional basis working in a support capacity at reduced pay, officials said.

As a lieutenant, he was being paid in the ballpark of $79,000, but is now receiving deputy wages, officials said, which range from around $42,000 and $63,000, according to the county's salary report.

Filipiak and Arner did not have any comment about his sentencing on Friday.