NATCHEZ — A Natchez Police officer who reportedly shot himself Wednesday was stable and recovering Friday.

Clifton Eric Kaho, 29, was still in the University of Mississippi Medical Center intensive care unit Friday after he underwent surgery in which doctors patched his heart late Wednesday.

“He’s looking real good at this time,” Kaho’s father, Clifton Kaho Sr., said Friday. “They’re supposed to start him on a liquid diet today.”

Kaho said his son still had a breathing tube and could not talk much.

“If you ask him something, he’ll nod his head,” he said. “He’s coming back around. It’s just a wait-and-see process.”

Doctors expect to have to do further surgery, but they’re not sure when, Kaho said.

Officer Kaho, assigned to the metro narcotics unit, was in his apartment Wednesday apparently cleaning his 9mm Glock semiautomatic pistol when it fired. The single bullet entered his upper left chest, and part of the bullet grazed his heart.

Kaho’s girlfriend, who was in the apartment in another room at the time, called the police.

He was transported to Natchez Community Hospital, where he underwent stabilizing surgery. He was then transported to UMC in Jackson, where he underwent heart surgery.

Friends and family have been very supportive, Kaho Sr. said.

“We appreciate Adams County and the city police,” he said. “The whole town of Natchez and the county have been very supportive of my whole family. I’d like to acknowledge the prayers and everything they’ve done for us.”