FRESNO, CA (KMJ) –The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office has given the details of the accidental shooting that took the life of a 20-year veteran of the department.
Sergeant Rod Lucas – who has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 1996 and is a married father with four children and one grandchild – was killed on Monday while at a Sheriff’s Office building near Fresno Yosemite International Airport.
Sheriff Margaret Mims said Sgt. Lucas and one of the detectives were discussing their equipment, specifically their back-up weapons and how they carried them. The detective’s weapon was out, and during the discussion the detective’s weapon discharged. Sgt. Lucas was struck by a bullet in the chest. CPR began immediately, and he was rushed to CRMC where he died.
Sheriff Mims had this to say about Sgt. Lucas:
All witnesses to the shooting have been interviewed, except for the detective whose weapon was discharged. Sheriff Mims said he is very upset, and they’re giving him a little bit of time before they interview him. Once they do that, they’ll have a better idea of how the detective’s firearm was discharged.
They’re not releasing the detective’s identity at this time.
