Members of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Training Unit have determined that a buckle attached to a thigh holster most likely contributed to an accidental discharge of a deputy’s duty weapon.

On November 4th, 2016, a Fresno County Sheriff’s deputy was working in the area of Church and Gearhart Avenues in Fresno when his holstered Sheriff’s Office issued Smith and Wesson M&P 45 duty weapon discharged, striking him in the lower leg.  The gun was secured in his tactical thigh holster when it fired.  The deputy received treatment for his injury at a local hospital and was released later that day.

Our range master and training unit staff, who are certified M&P Armorers, later inspected and tested all of the equipment involved.  It was determined the gun functioned properly within its specifications and did not discharge on its own. While replicating the discharge, they determined it most likely happened when a portion of the holster’s thigh strap buckle got caught between the trigger and holster, causing the gun to fire one round.

The 2017 Annual Training Plan will include a component that addresses Equipment/ Firearm awareness.  The content will include a brief synopsis of the training unit’s findings from this incident, as well as actions to take to prevent this from occurring again.