Lineman killed on the job in Griffin, remembered as a hero

GRIFFIN, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A group of people closest to Eric Weems gathered around a campfire on a cold evening to reflect on his life.

“He was just a big crazy guy. He was our guy,” said his cousin, Monitque Taylor. “He’s run marathons all over the US. He’s been on some of the toughest terrain.”

The 52-year-old Navy veteran and City of Griffin lineman lost his life at work in a tragic accident Wednesday. Weems was a lineman for the city for more than 19 years. It was a job he truly loved.

“There were times when I was driving and stopped at a stop sign. I hear my name called and I look around and I can’t find anyone, but it’s him standing on the pole,” said Otrice Gibson, Eric’s cousin.

Jose Ibarra appears in court on the first day of his trial for the Augusta University murder...

“I received a call from my aunt. She was screaming for you to go to the hospital, to go to the hospital,” Taylor said.

The city said he and fellow lineman Trent Granger were working on an energy project when there was an equipment failure. Granger was seriously injured but is expected to be OK.

He is survived by two children and recently became a grandfather. He will be missed by family, friends and colleagues. They call on the public to remember not how he died, but how he lived.

‘Tomorrow is not promised. Make it up to those you don’t speak to, your family members, your friends,” Taylor said.