FRESNO, CALIFORNIA — An officer with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office was shot dead this past week — the victim of an errant bullet fired by a fellow law enforcement officer.
Deputy Sergeant Rod Lucas was having a discussion with a detective about gun safety in a Sheriff’s Office building on Oct. 31. Specifically, the two were conversing about their backup weapons, and how they carried them, according to a news release from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
As they were talking, police report the detective’s secondary weapon accidentally discharged. Lucas immediately dropped to the floor, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.
Another officer attempted to perform CPR, but it was no use. Lucas died shortly afterwards. He was 46 years old.
Two other officers present at the time said the incident was a tragic accident, with no foul play suspected.
Lucas was a 20-year veteran of the force, and leaves behind four children and one grandchild.
