Editor’s note: Law Enforcement Firearms columnist Richard Fairburn says, “If you handle guns long enough, you will probably get a bang when you didn’t expect one. Good, stressful training can eliminate most of your officer’s negligent discharge problems, but not all of them.” Read his article Causes and cures for the negligent discharge for more information on gun safety.
By Nicholas P. Alajakis
Chicago Sun Times
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WAUKEGAN, Ill. — A Lake County sheriff’s deputy was airlifted to a hospital Friday morning after accidentally shooting herself at the County Building parking garage.
Karen Harris, a 22-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, was recovering from surgery Friday afternoon at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. She is expected to make a full recovery, authorities said.
At 8 a.m. Friday, Harris was removing her service weapon from the trunk of her car on the third floor of the parking garage when the gun fired, sending a .40-caliber bullet through her right hand and into her abdomen.
Waukegan police determined the trigger was pulled by a hanger stuck in the trigger guard, said Waukegan police Cmdr. Wayne Walles.
“It’s an accident. It could absolutely happen to anyone,” Sheriff Mark Curran said. “We pray for her, and we feel terrible for her.”
Harris, 46, of Gurnee, was taken first to Vista Medical Center East and later flown to Lutheran General. She was conscious and alert after surgery, police said.
The Waukegan Fire Department and other court security deputies responded to the scene almost immediately, said sheriff’s Sgt. Christopher Thompson.
There is no protocol on where deputies keep their weapon, but some put them in their car trunk, Curran said.
Harris is the daughter of former Waukegan Ald. Frank Harris. Attempts to reach the family Friday were unsuccessful.
Copyright 2009 Chicago Sun Times