[Steve in PA]

Hamilton County Corrections Officer Shot In Stomach
posted July 30, 2003

A corrections officer at the Hamilton County Jail is in the trauma intensive care unit of Erlanger Medical Center with a gunshot wound.

Sheriff John Cupp said the officer was alone at his home in Catoosa County when he accidentally shot himself while trying to put the gun away in a closet.

Catoosa County Capt. Scott Jordan said he was able to talk with the shooting victim, 33-year-old Ronald Edward Locke on Wednesday morning. He said Mr. Locke stated that the accident occurred when he was putting a gun away in a tall gun cabinet. He said he was standing on a chair when the chair gave way. He said the gun went off as he fell.

The gun was a .40-caliber Baretta semi-automatic pistol.

Capt. Jordan said Officer Locke has several small children and keeps his weapons in the cabinet that they cannot reach.

He lives at 37 Wells St., Rossville.

Capt. Jordan said he remains in critical condition, but the wound is not believed to be life threatening.

Officer Locke has been at the county jail since December 1998.

Sheriff Cupp said he got a call about the incident shortly before 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

[Quartus]

That's why the're called RULES. You're supposed to obey them ALL the time.

[10-Ring]

Tough way to learn a lesson! A friend of mine did something similar a couple years ago. The embarassment never leaves, they have a permanent reminder.

[Double Maduro]

Since when do they print LEO's addresses in the paper?


DM

[P95Carry]

when he accidentally shot himself while trying to put the gun away in a closet Remove ''accidentally'' and insert ''negligently'' ........ way more to the point. Sheesh .. these deals never fail to amaze me. Anyone should be able to put a gun away safely even loaded ...... but perhaps also he should have spent more time practicing safe clearing proceedure too.

Not just rule #3 either .... rule #1 would easily have taken care of that too. Reminds me of when I decock the P95 or 97 ... always make very sure to point safe, as I tense (pucker?? ) a little! :)

[Edward429451]

Bummer. Being anal rather than complacent about safety works. Even if you feel a little goofy for being overly safe. Feeling goofy is better than feeling shot. In fact there is no such thing as overly safe.

[HBK]

I used to think it was stupid to be overly safe. I felt goofy always checking the chamber, especially after I just checked it. Now, after having firearms for a long time, I realize there is no such thing as "too safe." You can never check the chamber too often, even if you just checked it. It only takes one screw-up to ruin your life or someone else's, but if you are safe, too safe, overly safe, anal, it shouldn't happen. Too safe is just about right.

[Standing Wolf]

He said he was standing on a chair when the chair gave way. He said the gun went off as he fell.

All by itself, I'm sure.

Now, after having firearms for a long time, I realize there is no such thing as "too safe."

Well said!

[greyhound]

When I decock my P97 I always have it pointed straight at my bed. Not that it still wouldn't be bad, but I figure that's the safest thing to do.

And even though I know 99.99% sure it won't go off, its still a little unnerving hearing that hammer drop!:)