'Oh my God': Startling audio from 911 call after Ga. police chief shot wife

By RYAN GORMAN

Newly-released audio from a 911 call reveals the anguished moments after a Georgia police chief shot his wife.

Peachtree City top cop William McCollum calmly telling the dispatcher he accidentally shot his wife in the early hours of January 1. She can be heard hysterically crying in the background.

McCollum explains to 911 during the nearly six-minute call that he accidentally shot wife Margaret, 58, while moving a handgun from the bed.

"A gunshot wound. Accidental. Need medical ASAP," McCollum said, in audio first made public by WSB. "Shot in the back."

The dispatcher then asks who shot her.

"Me," McCollum responds. "The gun was in the bed, I went to move it, put it aside and it went off."

The round was fired from McCollum's Glock 9mm service revolver, according to reports.

"Having trouble breathing dear?" He asks his ailing wife as she can be heard crying.

"Oh my God," he says. "How the hell did this happen?"

McCollum initially said he shot his wife twice, but only one round was fired.

"I'm the chief of police," he continues. "The gun is on the dresser."

The dispatcher then asks: "You're the chief of police in Peachtree City?"

He responds: "Yes, unfortunately."

The dispatcher tells the cop how to perform rudimentary first aid on his wife until paramedics arrive.

He has been placed on leave pending the outcome of an investigation, officials previously said.

McCollum has been reported to be working in full cooperation with investigators.

It is not known if criminal charges will be filed.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

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