Officer Recovering After Accidentally Shooting Self

A Port Chester police officer is in stable condition at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla after accidentally shooting himself early this morning.

The officer, a five-year veteran of the force, was off-duty and at home at the time the gun went off, according to Capt. John Telesca.

The officer was placing a handgun in a safe in his home when he lost his grip on the gun. When he tried to grab the gun and prevent it from falling on the floor, he accidentally hit the trigger, Telesca said.

The officer called Port Chester police headquarters immediately afterward, a few minutes after midnight, and an ambulance brought the injured policeman to Westchester Medical Center.

The bullet hit the index finger of the officer's left hand. Doctors performed surgery to repair the officer's hand today. Telesca said police brass expect the officer will return to work after recovery, and the injury "should not impact his ability to do his job."

"We expect a full recovery," Telesca said.

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