INDIANAPOLIS -- The Hamilton County sheriff admitted he used poor judgment when he released a former Indianapolis police detective from jail after he was arrested on suspicion of driving drunk.

Former Indianapolis detective and current reserve Officer Frank Poskon was stopped for speeding on U.S. 31 near 146th Street early Sunday morning, police said. He was arrested on suspicion of driving drunk with a blood alcohol content of 0.09.

Several hours later, Sheriff Doug Carter said he received a call from an Indianapolis police officer who asked if Poskon could be released early.

While Carter said he does have the authority to allow the release of an inmate without a judge's authorization, he told 6News' Jennifer Carmack that he regretted the decision to allow Poskon to leave the jail early.

"I understand how the perception could be poor, and the only thing I can do is acknowledge it, take responsibility for it," he said. "It's certainly not the best judgment call I've made, and I apologize for it."

Carter said he agreed to allow Poskon to leave without posting bond but asked that the officer come pick up Poskon so he wouldn't be on the road with alcohol in his system.

Poskon is a highly respected former drug task force member, police said, and was honored by then-Gov. Evan Bayh after he was shot in the line of duty in 1991.

He had been working as a reserve officer for the department. It was unclear whether he would retain that position following his arrest.