PORTLAND – A nine-year veteran of the Portland Police Department died of injuries after his handgun discharged in what police described Tuesday as a tragic accident.

Sgt. Robert Johnsey was apparently preparing his duty weapon for his next shift when it accidentally discharged late Monday night at his home in Westbrook, wounding him in the leg, investigators concluded. Johnsey died a short time later at Maine Medical Center.

The announcement was made by Police Chief Timothy Burton, who said Johnsey’s death was a tragic moment for his department.

Westbrook Police Chief William Baker, whose department led the investigation, said evidence at the scene clearly indicated that Johnsey’s Smith & Wesson semiautomatic handgun went off accidentally.

“Our preliminary assessment led me to conclude that Sergeant Johnsey was doing something that all of us in law enforcement do 240 times a year – that is, getting our duty belts ready for the next day of work,” Baker said.

In response to a “911” call from Johnsey’s wife at about 11:30 p.m., Westbrook officers arrived to find the officer unconscious. They administered first aid until an ambulance arrived and took Johnsey to the Portland hospital, where he died just before midnight.

Burton said it was likely that the bullet hit an artery, but that the death is under investigation by the state medical examiner’s office. Routine procedure calls for the medical examiner to classify such deaths as suspicious and for the Maine State Police to conduct an investigation, he said.

At the time of his death, Johnsey, 37, was assigned to the department’s directed patrol unit and was supervisor of the canine unit. He served as a member of the honor guard and the crisis intervention team.

Johnsey is survived by his wife, Carol, and their two children, Rachel, 12, and Alexander Joseph, 9.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete.

Officers in uniform and plainclothes lined the back of the auditorium at police headquarters during the news conference in which Burton said the department had lost a good and kindhearted friend.

Johnsey’s death occurred as his department was dealing with the emotional trauma arising from the fatal shooting of a felon by another officer, Nicholas Goodman, during a traffic stop Saturday night. Police said the motorist tried to drive away, dragging Goodman and injuring his backup officer. The shooting is under investigation by the Attorney General’s Office.

Burton said all the department’s officers are deeply affected by the tragedies but understand that as professionals they must continue to devote themselves toward their goal of providing for the safety of people in Portland.

“We face this together, we console ourselves and we move forward,” the chief said.

Johnsey is survived by his wife, Carol, and their two children, Rachel, 12, and Alexander Joseph, 9.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete.