A Placer County Sheriff's deputy is in a coma after a freak accident during a training exercise.
According to the sherrif'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 steep 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 is surrounded by both his family and his law enforcement family. The Placer County Sherriff's Department appreciate the thoughts and prayers that have been coming in from not only the law enforcement community, but from the wonderful communities they serve.
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.
As everyone is aware, the road to recovery can be long and costly, so a support fund has been set up with with the California Association of Highway Patrol (CAHP) credit union. One hundred percent of funds donated will be donated to the Harper family. If you'd like to help, visit https://cahpcu.org/donation-to-deputy-austin-harper/.
The family is thankful for the support, but is requesting privacy while Austin continues his recovery.