Who is Vimes from Guards! Guards! and what is their importance?

Vimes moves from being a drunk to receiving accolades for his part in saving the city. He acts as if he doesn't care about his job, but when he is fired later he fights to get his job back and continues to work toward ridding the city of the dragon. He has a poor self image but has many redeeming qualities that eventually prove to be the salvation of the city and himself. He even allows himself to consider a relationship at the end of the story.