A Lauderdale County, Alabama Sheriff's deputy took the stand Tuesday as he testified against a suspect who allegedly shot him last year.
Deputy Randall McCrary and three other deputies entered a Ridge Avenue residence on Feb. 3, 2016 to serve involuntary mental commitment papers on Timothy Vincent Murphy when the man opened fire, according to The Times Daily.
During questioning from Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly, McCrary said that Murphy fired the first round after a deputy kicked in a door in the bedroom he was hiding.
"I saw a big muzzle flash coming at my face," he said, adding that he returned fire, but knew he was shot because he felt a "hot burning" in his arm.
The shot shot had gone through the forearm into the chest of the deputy who was not wearing a ballistic vest. His chest was bleeding and blood was "gushing" from his arm.
McCrary said that based on seeing people die in the past, he knew all to well what he was experiencing himself. "I started getting thirsty I started getting cold," he testified. "I made peace with God. I just knew I was dead."
Looking back on the incident, McCrary said that he had gotten into a habit of not wearing his vest, but he does now.
"I should have put my vest on but I didn't," he said. "They're uncomfortable and they're hot, but better than 6 feet under."
He was in intensive care for three days and in a regular hospital room three days at Huntsville Hospital. He would return to duty a few months later on May 6.
Despite surviving, doctors removed his McCrary's spleen, leaving him without an immune system.
"On Feb. 3, I got a life sentence," he testified.
