CRIME

Records: Georgia police chief who shot his sleeping wife has 4 divorces, no violent past

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this undated image released by the Peachtree City Police Department, Chief William McCollom poses for a photograph. McCollom who dialed 911 to report accidentally shooting his wife as she slept in their suburban Atlanta home early New Year’s Day waited nearly two minutes to mention where he worked. McCollom has been in law enforcement for 30 years, primarily in seaside communities in South Florida. (AP Photo/Peachtree City Police Department) (The Associated Press)

In this undated image released by the Village of Tequesta (Fla.) Government, William McCollom is poses for a photograph. McCollom, in Peachtree City Ga., who dialed 911 to report accidentally shooting his wife as she slept in their suburban Atlanta home early New Year’s Day waited nearly two minutes to mention where he worked. McCollom has been in law enforcement for 30 years, primarily in seaside communities in South Florida. (AP Photo/Village of Tequesta (Fla.) Government) (The Associated Press)

The background of a suburban Atlanta police chief is under scrutiny as authorities investigate how he shot his wife early New Year's Day.

Peachtree City Chief William McCollom called 911 and reported he accidentally shot his wife Margaret while they slept. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into the case.

McCollom has been in law enforcement for 30 years, primarily in seaside communities in South Florida.

Investigators who previously vetted McCollom for police jobs found no evidence of any criminal background or major misconduct. He was a certified police firearms trainer in Florida, and he instructed a SWAT team in combat shooting.

GBI spokeswoman Sherry Lang says McCollom's background in law enforcement will be part of the investigation.