Belington police officer recovering after self-inflicted gunshot wound
BELINGTON — A city police officer was recovering after surgery to repair the damage from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the arm, Mayor Matt Ryan said Wednesday.
The officer was taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital after the 3:30 a.m. incident Wednesday, Ryan said.
“He’s out of surgery. They had to take an artery from his leg to repair the one in his arm. There’s no apparent nerve damage. The bones that were damaged were able to be repaired by plates and screws,” Ryan said.
The incident is being investigated by the West Virginia State Police. It occurred at the officer’s residence while he was off duty.
“It appears accidental and nothing criminal related,” Ryan said in a social media statement.
Ryan said the officer sustained a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the arm. There was an entry wound but no exit wound, he said.
Ryan said he was thankful for the quick response of the Belington Emergency Squad and the Belington Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the Barbour County 911 Center.
The officer’s name was not being officially released Wednesday. However, social media posts indicated it was Dylan Johnson, the officer the department has tapped to be its K-9 handler.
In a social media statement later Wednesday, Ryan said the community has been rallying around the officer.
“The community has been pulling together and praying for one of our own. But, at the same time, they are still pulling to make an officer’s dream and desire come true while he lay in the hospital. Eric Ruf, representing the Belington Clinic, stopped by and presented a donation towards our K-9 dog purchase and, before the dust settled, Brian Delauder and Genia Ware-Delauder of B&G trucking donated also. Thanks so much to everyone; we love you Dylan Johnson. Hang in there buddy,” the statement read.