A fire chief in upstate New York has been demoted over a 9-word comment containing a racial epithet made about Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) on Facebook.

Here's what he said

Jim Brewster, the fire chief of East Syracuse, apparently wrote "Maxine gives the word n***** a bad name" in a comment on a Facebook post.

Robert Tackman, the mayor of the city, told WSTM that Brewster was suspended without pay during the investigation into the comment. Brewster will remain a village firefighter, however.

Tackman also said that Brewster apologized to the village board and underwent a Civil Service hearing over the comment. Brewster had been elected to the position in April, and made the comment on June 28.

“He has expressed remorse for posting that, and he has said he’s sorry to me," Tackman said.

Brewster's son and brother also resigned their leadership positions with the fire department, but will remain on as firefighters.

The comment was deleted from Facebook, but screenshots were available via social media.

Waters has been a vehement critic of President Donald Trump, so much so that the Democratic leadership has been accused of racism for calling for the California congresswoman to tone down her rhetoric.