A Placer County (CA) Sheriff's deputy is in a coma after a freak accident during a training exercise.
California Deputy in Coma After Training Accident
A Placer County (CA) Sheriff's deputy is in a coma after a freak accident during a training exercise.

Placer County (CA) Sheriff's Deputy Austin Harper is in a coma after a Wednesday training accident. (Photo: Placer County SO)
According to the sheriff's office, on Wednesday, July 27, Placer County Sheriff's Deputy Austin Harper was on duty and assisting with K-9 training when he hit a steel support beam inside a vacant building with his head. He was knocked unconscious and was transported to a local trauma center with severe injuries. He underwent surgery to decrease the swelling in his brain. He is currently in a medically induced coma and is in critical, but stable condition.
Deputy Harper has been with the Placer County Sheriff's Office since December, 2015. Prior to working for PCSO, he served as a police officer with the town of Truckee and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Harper is expecting his first child with his wife, who is also a police officer, ABC10 reports.
More Training
How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management
Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.
Read More →When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with a yellow headline that reads When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?
Read More →
Is Your Duty Holster Duty Rated?
The first – and worst – time I had to fight to keep my gun, my holster and duty belt held up far better than my training did.
Read More →
Beyond the Plate: Real-Time Video Intelligence for Police Operations
Join us for an inside look at how agencies are enhancing frontline decision-making with visual intelligence that goes beyond the plate. This session will show how pairing LPR data with live camera feeds delivers faster, safer, and more coordinated responses—on everything from stolen vehicles to active BOLOs.
Read More →Coffee Break with Police Experts: Using Your Patrol Vehicle for Cover
In this video, hear from Dustin Mowery, a product specialist at Team Wendy, as he discusses how to best use a patrol vehicle for cover.
Read More →
Ebook: How Data-Driven Policing Strengthens Transparency and Public Trust
Whether your department is focused on improving transparency or rebuilding community confidence, this ebook offers real examples and practical strategies to help. Learn how data-driven insights and modern fleet technologies can strengthen accountability, support officer safety, and enhance public trust.
Read More →
Using Patrol Vehicles for Cover
While a patrol vehicle offers some cover protection when taking fire, remain mobile and don’t stick to one piece of cover indefinitely. Dustin Mowery, of Team Wendy, shares what he teaches about using vehicles as cover.
Read More →San Francisco Police Recruit Dies in Training
Recruit Officer Jon-Marques Psalms, 30, reportedly suffered a medical emergency after completing a training exercise on Wednesday August 20, 2025, at the Academy.
Read More →POLICE and Flock Safety Present Webinar on Combining LPR with Real-Time Video
The webinar titled “Beyond the Plate: Real-Time Video Intelligence for Police Operations” will show how pairing LPR data with live camera feeds delivers faster, safer, and more coordinated responses on everything from stolen vehicles to active BOLOs.
Read More →

