An officer was seriously hurt September 10 when he accidentally shot himself in the leg during advanced firearms training at the Police Academy shooting range in Paterson, New Jersey. Officials say he was transported to St. Joseph’s University Trauma Center and is being treated for severe injuries.

The unnamed officer, a firearms instructor with the Haledon Borough Police Department, was attending a week-long rifle course in Passaic County on Tuesday afternoon when authorities say he had an accidental discharge while conducting a drill, shooting himself in the leg at around 12:15 pm. While his injuries are said to be severe, they are not considered life-threatening according to officials. As of the last update from St. Joseph’s, the officer was listed in serious but stable condition.

“The sacrifices and dangers faced by law enforcement officers serve as constant reminders of the challenges inherent in their commitment to serve and protect our communities,” said Haledon Chief of Police, Angelo J. Daniele, recognizing that the risks associated with duty are persistent, even during training. 

Although no crime or act of negligence has been indicated, the incident is considered an officer-involved shooting, all of which are referred to the Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. In addition, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office has been assigned as the independent prosecutor on the case according to authorities.

“As the proud mayor of Haledon, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt support for one of our Haledon Police Department Firearms Instructors who sustained an accidental discharge injury during training… I join the Haledon Municipal Council in extending our thoughts and prayers to him as he receives treatment at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey,” said Haledon’s mayor Michael Johnson in a statement on Tuesday evening.

Training accidents such as this happen in the law enforcement community as well as the military. They are an unfortunate hazard of the occupation. The public has taken to Facebook to wish the officer a speedy recovery along with heartfelt thoughts and prayers, a level of community support for law enforcement that I find encouraging considering anti-police rhetoric over the last few years. I’d like to add my best wishes to the officer, his family and law enforcement personnel around the country who face dangerous situations daily, whether in training or out in the field protecting our communities. Thank you for your sacrifice, and stay safe.