Officers in the Bergenfield Police Department were rattled Thursday when they received word one of their fellow officers was shot thousands of miles away on vacation.

Police say Officer John Casper was walking with friends in Nassau, the Bahamas when he saw a man trying to snatch a woman?s purse. According to Police Chief Rick McGarril, there was a struggle and another individual came and shot Casper once in the chest.

Casper is in serious, but stable condition. The bullet went through his arm, through his left lung and into his intestines, police say.

McGarril says the mood among Casper's colleagues is dark as they wait for more information on Casper?s status.