HERNDON, Ky. -- The small community of Herndon, Ky., is grieving the death of the 6-year-old son of an Oak Grove police officer.

Officer's Child Shoots, Kills Self

Authorities said the son of Oak Grove Officer David Tomlinson found a loaded gun inside the family's home. The child knocked the gun off the dresser, causing it to accidentally discharge.

Gun Laws Analyzed Following Child Death

"Six-year-old Zachary Tomlinson found a hand gun on a dresser inside his parents' bedroom. The child became curious about the weapon. The weapon discharged, striking the child in the forehead, killing him," said Christian County police spokesman Steve Tucker.

The boy was home with his older brother when it happened Sunday night.

Christian County authorities warn gun owners with small children to be extremely careful.

"Please, under any circumstances, whether the gun is loaded or unloaded, lock the weapons up, keep them away from small children. Lockboxes, gun safes, anything to where a child can’t figure out how to get that device open,” said Tucker.

Tomlinson is a veteran with the Oak Grove Police Department.

In 2004 and 2005, he received awards from the Kentucky governor for his outstanding work in driving under the influence enforcement.

Authorities have ruled the shooting an accident.

Kentucky state police said the state does not have a blanket law governing the safe storage of a firearm, but it does have statutes that prohibit guns from being passed to juveniles.

Depending on the circumstances, it is up to prosecutors to decide if a statute has been violated.

Also, the Tennessee Department of Safety said Tennessee does not have a blanket law governing firearm storage.

Donations for Zachary Tomlinson are being accepted and can be sent to the following address:

Oak Grove Police Station
8505 Pembroke Rd.
Oak Grove, Ky. 42262