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Ex-Amtrak cop sues RR over shooting at take-out

An Amtrak police officer has sued the national rail corporation, claiming it's liable for an incident in which a woman was able to grab his gun and shoot him in the foot.

An Amtrak police officer has sued the national rail corporation, claiming it's liable for an incident in which a woman was able to grab his gun and shoot him in the foot.

James Bullard, 65, a 29-year veteran of the Amtrak force, was working at 30th Street Station on March 9, 2008, when he got in line at McDonald's to buy a cop of coffee, according to the suit, filed in Common Pleas Court in Philadelphia.

Police and witnesses interviewed by the Daily News at the time of the incident said a 30-year-old woman, who appeared to be homeless, began arguing with McDonald's employees about 11 a.m. when they refused to refill her coffee.

When Bullard tried to remove the woman from the restaurant, she grabbed his gun from his holster and shot him in the left foot.

He was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital, where he was listed that day in stable condition.

The woman, who was not identified in the suit, or by police in prior news stories, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and related offenses.

At the time, police said Bullard had suffered from broken bones in his foot.

The suit does not detail Bullard's injuries, except to say they were "severe," "permanent" and "disabling" and that he suffered "great physical pain and mental distress."

In the suit, Bullard claims he was forced to work with a worn, torn and defective gun holster and that Amtrak failed to provide a new holster when he requested one.

He is seeking damages under the Federal Employers' Liability Act.

Calls to both Bullard and his attorney, Steven Lafferty, were not immediately returned yesterday.

An Amtrak spokesman was not aware of the suit and said he would look into the matter.