BROOKVILLE, Pa. -- Before finding him dead, at least five Punxsutawney Borough employees -- including police officers and the mayor -- checked on a man who was drunk in the back seat of a police cruiser, an officer's attorney said this morning.

None noticed signs of "medical distress" in Stephen Obbish during the five hours he was there, and none sought medical attention, said Ralph Montana, who has represented Brian Andrekovich since he was suspended and later fired in the August death.

Mr. Montana made the comments at a press conference today here in the seat of Jefferson County, the location of Punxsutawney.

The attorney general's office said this week it won't file charges against Mr. Andrekovich, who wants to be reinstated to his job.

"At no time was this man put in the back of the cruiser and ignored," said Mr. Montana. Mr. Andrekovich "has done absolutely nothing wrong and nothing we feel warrants his dismissal."

Mr. Obbish, he said, was viewed at least 18 and as many as 21 times in the five hours from his arrest on public drunkenness and disorderly conduct charges to the time of his death, the attorney said.

Mr. Andrekovich, a 16-year veteran on the force, stood beside Mr. Montana but did not speak.

His attorney said getting him back on the force has been a "top priority," and he has hired a Pittsburgh labor attorney for help.

Mr. Obbish, 48, died of a mix of alcohol and his own medications, an autopsy found.

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