BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

CANTON -- A 17-year veteran of the Ogdensburg Police Department has been charged with third-degree assault after she accidentally shot another officer while cleaning her firearm at the police station.

St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Deputies say Jessica B. Rivers, 40, of Ogdensburg was charged Aug. 16 at 9:30 a.m. following an investigation, which was underway for nearly two months.

"The arrest stemmed from negligence used during the handling of a firearm, during weapons cleaning after range training, which caused physical injury to another person," a statement from the sheriff said.

The incident took place June 20 at the station.

Officer Daniel Hollister was shot and injured. He was  transported to a Syracuse Hospital where he was treated and later released and returned home to recover with his family.

When the incident occurred, six officers and a civilian member of the department who witnessed the incident, were placed on leave. But they returned to work following interviews with the sheriff’s investigators.

Mayor Michael Tooley said that action took place as part of protocol related to the incident.

Additionally, Rivers and Hollister have remained off duty since the shooting occurred.

It’s unclear at this time if, or when, either will return to duty.

As for disciplinary action, those decisions will be determined by the city. To that end, Chief Kearns said an independent investigation is being conducted by the City of Ogdensburg and the Office of the Ogdensburg City Police Chief.

No update has been provided by the city on the incident since the investigation was announced.

Rivers was released on an appearance ticket and is ordered to answer the charge at a later date.