Indiana police chief accidentally shoots himself for the second time

An Indiana police chief’s day ended with a bang when he accidentally shot himself in the leg on Saturday – the second time in his career that he’s turned his own gun on his body.

David Councellor is running to become Fayette County’s new sheriff, but he chose the wrong way to make headlines when he unintentionally discharged his 40-caliber Glock handgun while perusing other firearms at a local gun shop.

A 33-year veteran of the Connersville Police Department, Councellor had taken his Glock out to compare it to another gun in the store. When he tried putting the gun back into his holster, he found himself shooting his own thigh.

“I need to pay more attention,” Counceller said to the Palladium-Item. “I know what the dangers are. It was pure carelessness on my part.”

“It got tangled in my clothing,” Counceller added. “I was wearing a sweatshirt and a fleece jacket. I felt (the gun) go in the holster and I pushed it, but it was tangled in the material which caused it to discharge. The bullet went into my leg and then into the floor.”

Councellor suffered a flesh wound and was able to drive himself to the hospital for treatment. He said that he would be back to work on Tuesday.

Although Connersville Mayor Leonard Urban called Counceller “an excellent marksman,” this isn’t the first time the police chief has shot himself. About 15 years ago, he accidentally discharged his gun into his hand.

Despite his accidents, Councellor is hoping to draw some lessons from the unfortunate situation.

“If anyone says this could never happen to them, they’re mistaken,” Counceller said. “You have to keep your guard up at all times. Some candidates are out there doing things for kids to try to get elected. Me, I shoot myself. What a way to get publicity.”