ELLENVILLE - Two inches.

That is all that separated Ellenville police Officer Harold Nunuvero from possible death Tuesday morning.

Two inches is approximately the thickness of the bulletproof vest he was wearing when he accidentally shot himself in the chest while fleeing a fox rushing at him.

Nunuvero and Sgt. Robert Morse responded to the area of Center and Mill streets in the village for a report of a rabid fox about 10:15 a.m., according to police Chief Philip Mattracion.

Upon arrival, they saw the animal acting aggressively and were planning a safe way to kill it, when it charged at Nunuvero unprovoked, Mattracion said.

Nunuvero had his weapon drawn and made the split-second decision to flee because Morse and a resident were in his line of fire, Mattracion added.

“In reviewing the video footage that I have and also the officer’s body cam footage, without a doubt, the officer made the appropriate decision and correct decision not to discharge his weapon at that time,” he said.

The fox was on Nunuvero's tail as he attempted to jump over a nearby fence, but Mattracion said his foot got caught in the fence, flipping him over.

As he landed, his gun went off, striking Nunuvero in the chest and ricocheting off the vest, according to Mattracion.

"That bulletproof vest, without doubt, without question, saved his life today,” he said.

Morse shot and killed the fox to defend Nunuvero as he was on the ground.

Only when Nunuvero got up did he realize the shot from his gun had hit him, Mattracion said.

Nunuvero, 24, was taken to Ellenville Regional Hospital for treatment and was released.

“He has an excellent work record and he’s been an excellent officer to have,” Mattracion said.

Nunuvero, an officer with the department for four years, is scheduled to return to work on Friday, Mattracion added.

mnanci@th-record.com