A spokesperson from Harborview Medical Center in Seattle said Wednesday morning that Haines police officer Brayton Long is in stable condition.
Tuesday at around 1:15 p.m., Long accidentally shot himself in the lower arm while conducting firearms training at the shooting range out Mud Bay Road. Long was transported to the Haines Clinic before being Medevaced to Harborview in Seattle for further treatment.
According to acting police chief Josh Dryden, no foul play is suspected. Dryden said that after to speaking with Long on Wednesday, he seems to be doing fine under the circumstances. Dryden added that Long said the round didn’t hit anything “important.”
An investigation by Alaska State Troopers continues. Dryden said just like any accidental shooting, they have to make sure there were no other factors involved in the mishap.
Long is the newest member of the Haines Police Department. He started a couple of months ago after having worked as a police officer in Skagway for five years.
Dryden said “he’s a great officer and an even better human being.”
There’s no time frame for how long Long will need to recover. Dryden said that the Haines Police Department will work with state law enforcement agencies to fill in the gaps. Another option, he said, is to bring in an officer or two from other jurisdictions to fill in temporarily.
Brayton Long will take some “police jokes” for his accident, no doubt. But I am glad Officer Dryden recognized that Brayton “is a great officer and an even better human being”. I will agree with his character assessment. Brayton worked with my son in high school as a special education aide. He was the BEST, and a great person to boot. We were sorry to see him go to Skagway and are happy to have him back in Haines. All of us have accidents at some point in our lives, so let’s cut him some slack for this one. Get well soon, Brayton!
Get well soon brayton