CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A local firefighter said he will not return to the Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drum Corps after his suspension.

Drum Major and Cleveland Heights fire inspector John Coleman was suspended for six months for giving President Barack Obama a nod and wave during last week's inaugural parade in Washington, D.C.

"It would probably be best that I just leave," Coleman said in an exclusive interview with NewsChannel5's Duane Pohlman.

Coleman has been with the pipes and drums for 17 years.

He said there is too much hurt on both sides for him to go back to the band. He said he didn't have any other choice.

"With this, it's come to a point where I don't want embarrassment anymore between the pipe band and myself," Coleman said.

"Any chance of changing your mind?" Pohlman asked.

"I don't think it would happen, especially with the way things have gone," Coleman said.

He said he has been overwhelmed with phone calls and e-mails from all across the county.

"They are in support of me and would have done the same thing," Coleman said. "I just want to thank the people who have supported me and just take it from there.

Coleman said Monday that he doesn't want to bring negativity or shame to the band.

"I really don't have any other choice. It's what happened. It just got way out of line," he said.

He said there was a lot of hard work by the band in Washington and it was a great moment, but he just couldn't ignore the president.

"Contact was made with our eyes both together and he smiled and waved at the band and just as a gesture, I nodded my head. I gave him a slight wave and went on."

Coleman teared up when talking about the incident, saying he was hurt by the suspension.

Bandleader Pipe Major Mike Engle said Coleman violated the proper decorum required of a military parade.