ATLANTA -- The Atlanta city worker who was caught on camera threatening and cursing at a citizen has been fired.

The city announced Dexter Thornton's firing in an e-mail sent to CBS Atlanta Monday afternoon.

Last week, Thornton talked with CBS Atlanta about the incident and apologized.

“I didn't mean it. I didn't mean anything I said to him, and that's from the bottom of my heart. I sincerely apologize to him for calling him the name that I said, and reacting the way I reacted. That's not in my character to act like that,” said Thornton.

John Michalik said he came across a crew Department of Public Works stopped on a Southeast Atlanta corner, not hard at work, but reading a tabloid. He said he started to videotape them, when Thornton flew into a rage and threatened to beat Michalik.

"You keep putting that camera in my face, I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll take that m------------ camera and whoop your a--," yelled Thornton on the tape.

Department of Public Works Commissioner Joe Basista watched the video with Michalik last week and apologized for the incident.

"Our employees are trained not to get into confrontations with the public," said Basista. "That behavior is completely unacceptable and not tolerated."

In the video, the workers started to heckle Michalik after they noticed him with his hand-held video camera.

Worker: "You ain't got nothing better to do than take pictures of us?"

Michalik: "Look who's talking, buddy."

Thornton showed Michalik what he had to do by flashing a tabloid at the camera and explaining that he was, "Reading about y'alls crazy a-- white folks," according to the camera's videotape.

Aside from the questionable work habits, Basista said the reaction is unacceptable.

Michalik told the crew members they were parked in the middle of the street, and Thornton responded with a racial slur.

"We ain't even parked in the middle of the street, we're parked on the sidewalk, crazy a-- c-------," he said.

The other crew members eventually turned the camera on Michalik while trying to calm down their co-worker, but just before they pull away, Thornton yells another threat.

"I'm 'bout to get this m------------ hammer and beat the f------ hell out of him," yelled Thornton, according to the camera's videotape.

Michalik said the incident made him worry about how his tax dollars are being spent, and about his own safety.

"It's just kind of scary to know that they have workers out there that are that angry and are just gonna fly off the handle like that," said Michalik.

Thornton doesn't excuse his behavior, but said they weren't doing anything wrong when Michalik started shooting.

“I asked the guy politely the first time to keep the camera out my face and he proceeded to ride around on the bicycle asking, ‘Is this what my tax money is paying for?’” said Thornton.

CBS Atlanta News asked Thornton the tough question, why did he react the way he did?

“Because I had lots on my mind,” said Thornton..