A police cadet in Napoleon, OH, was critically injured after being accidentally shot in the back by one of his classmates on a shooting range, reports the Toledo Blade.
A police cadet in Napoleon, OH, was critically injured after being accidentally shot in the back by one of his classmates on a shooting range.
A police cadet in Napoleon, OH, was critically injured after being accidentally shot in the back by one of his classmates on a shooting range, reports the Toledo Blade.
"[The shooter] was very, very, very emotional and upset," Henry County Sheriff Michael Bodenbender said Wednesday. "He was very distraught."
The victim of the shooting, which occurred at a city-owned firing range Tuesday night, is expected to survive, Sheriff Bodenbender said.
The unidentified male victim was in critical condition at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center, where he was flown from Henry County Hospital.
"There were at least three firearms instructors there. My understanding is they were on break during the time it happened," Sheriff Bodenbender said. "All the indications we have is that it was an accident. We have not spoken to the victim yet. But the rest of the cadets and instructors that were there, that's the impression that we got — that it was an accident."
The shooter was either cleaning or oiling his gun, said Sheriff Bodenbender, and thought the firearm was empty when it discharged, striking the victim, who was sitting at a picnic table.
The sheriff said he does not expect any charges will be filed. The victim was shot with a 9mm handgun.

Patrol work hasn’t changed—but the expectations on officers have. See how one police chief helped officers get the right information at the right time, improve patrol visibility, and strengthen trust without adding complexity or surveillance. This real-world story shows how patrol-driven technology can make the job safer, smarter, and more effective—starting on day one.
Read More →Let’s hear from Ryan Bracken, head of product, about why your agency should send someone to the first annual DroneSense Innovation Summit by Versaterm in April.
Read More →
Caswell Live Fire has spun off from parent company InVeris, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Caswell’s founding. Over the past 100 years, Caswell has developed pioneering solutions that support military, law enforcement, and commercial clients worldwide.
Read More →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 →Hear veteran trainer Mike Willis, of the United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association, explain several considerations that can help you wisely pick your best spot to initiate high-risk or felony traffic stops.
Read More →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 →
In this video, Mike Willis, law enforcement national training and program director, United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association, discusses how to prevent blue-on-blue shootings.
Read More →
Sydney Vail, M.D., explains what officers should carry in their IFAKs, the importance of carrying two tourniquets, and the necessity of locating medical gear in a location that can be easily accessed with either hand.
Read More →
Learn how your agency can get free active threat response training. Mike Willis, of the United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association, details what the program teaches and explains other available free training programs.
Read More →In this video, Mike Willis, of the United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association, discusses how officers should communicate while searching for a suspect, whether inside, outside, or in a rural area.
Read More →