It sucks to forget your training.

[robsterclaw]

http://ow.ly/16BTeA

Police Officer Kevin B. Wilkins
Atlantic City Police Department
New Jersey
End of Watch: Thursday, February 18, 2010

Biographical Info
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Accidental)
Date of Incident: Thursday, February 18, 2010
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Not available

Officer Kevin Wilkins was accidentally shot and killed as he attempted to install a rubber grip on his service pistol.

He had removed the magazine from his service pistol but neglected to remove the round from the chamber. As he installed the grip the weapon discharged and he was struck in the face.

Nearby officers transported immediately called for assistance and provided aid, but Officer Wilkins succumbed to the wound approximately 15 minutes later.

Officer Wilkins had served with the Atlantic City Police Department for two years. He is survived by his father, three siblings, and fiancee.

[Ridge]

I'd say facepalm, but since he doesnt have a face anymore...

[Batteriesnare]

I'm not sure how you screw that up.....

[jerrymrc]

I'm not sure how you screw that up.....

I have to agree. There have been times that I have dropped he mag, pulled the slide, let it go and then went "did you look?" in my mind and did it again making sure. You can't clear/check enough. I guess having a round go off in the arms room once (not me) was reinforcement enough all those years ago.

[tmckay2]

no joke. even when emptying a mag and the slide (or bolt) lock back i check it before putting down the weapon. better safe than sorry

[Troublco]

No such thing as an unloaded gun.....unless it's been disassembled AFTER it's been cleared.

[GunTroll]

Complacency. That's all I'm gonna say about this one.

[al_g]

Complacency. That's all I'm gonna say about this one.Exactly. I think I ever get to that point it is time to sell everything.


I had a friend perplexed when I pulled a rifle out of the safe I'm the only one with a key too and immediately checked to make sure it was clear. I looked at him and said it had been out of my hands since I last checked it.

Gremlins and Murphy want to kill you but they are easily defeated with a bit of attention.

[SU405]

So unfortunate.

I always finger the chamber even after visual inspection. Sometimes your eyes lie to you. For example people who run red lights and say they swear it was green.

[Elhuero]

ugh

that really sucks

prayers for his family.

[robsterclaw]

no joke. even when emptying a mag and the slide (or bolt) lock back i check it before putting down the weapon. better safe than sorry

Me too. I keep my defense handgun in a locked safe when I'm not home. And when I bring it out, I always release the mag, and pull the slide back twice, check inside, and pull and check it once more. It's probably the only thing I'm OCD about.

Oh and just an aside, I get notification from that fallen police facebook page whenever a cop dies. I didn't realize how many die, and how so few of them die at the hands of others. Most of them have been car accidents that they caused. Or car accidents when off duty. Only one in the last 15 have been killed by violence.

[cowboykjohnson]

So unfortunate.

I always finger the chamber even after visual inspection. Sometimes your eyes lie to you. For example people who run red lights and say they swear it was green.
same here. I even check stuff when I come back from the bathroom or getting a drink when I'm cleaning.

[sniper7]

that really sucks. Just shows it doesn't matter who you are or what you do, mistakes can be made and that is why it is important to always take the precautions and use the rules of a firearm every single time.

prayers for his family.

[Irving]

When I took my CCW class, the teacher suggested that every time you pick up your gun, to check it, just in case. I've been doing this and it has worked very well for me. Good advice.

[Ridge]

I had an ND about 3-4 years ago...it was 2 years before I even kept the ammo and the weapon in the same case. Nowadays I just drop the mag, rack the slide and watch for the round to come out.

[GreenScoutII]

My dad told me when I was just a small boy, "The gun is always loaded." "Treat it that way."

His advice has never failed me. Truthfully, I think maybe I am a little paranoid about clearing the chamber, but better to be safe than sorry.

[theGinsue]

Gremlins and Murphy want to kill you but they are easily defeated with a bit of attention.

+1


Sometimes your eyes lie to you.

Obi-Wan Kenobi said it best: "Your eyes can decieve you; don't trust them."

[Bitter Clinger]

Sad news guys, just sad. But rule #1 ya know? This is why I really pay alot of attention when I handle my guns. Being a noob to guns however it is much easier for me to be safe. I'm still in the new gun owner phase. I do not fear my weapon but I respect it. As with all things that humans do, familiarity breeds complacancy(sp?). And I'm not to sure how to combat that other then becoming OCD about fiream safety.