ORANGE COUNTY, Texas — One year later, an Orange County Sheriff's Office deputy is reflecting on a terrifying moment that almost took his life.
Corporal Orrin Landers was on duty responding to a burglary call in Orangefield when he was shot at by a woman inside the home.
Now, Cpl. Landers and his partner approach calls with more caution. He says that bullet hasn't stopped him from protecting his Orange County community with a smile on his face.
"I'm definitely thankful, you know the good Lord was on my side that day," he said.
That bullet barely missed Landers' body and hit his belt buckle instead.
That belt buckle and bullet now sit framed in his home and serves as a constant reminder of that close call.
"A female inside of a residence, struggling with a burglar. We responded to the residence the front door was locked, attempted to kick it in and the homeowner shot through the door," Landers said.
Patrol Captain Chris Frederick heard the scary ordeal over the radio.
"Well when you first here the holler on the radio that I've been shot that just sends chills up your spine. You wanna get there as quick as you can," Frederick said. "After finding out he was okay it was a much release."
Cpl. Landers says even though he sustained some nasty bruises, he'd do it again.
"It's a great job. I love it. I love coming to work everyday and helping the community. I'll lay down my life for people of the community and my fellow deputies. It's a dangerous job, but someone has to do it," he said.
Landers and his partner Sergeant Jacob McElroy continue to wear the badge with pride.
"That's a tough guy right there. So, any fight that we have ahead of us I'm not worried. I know it'll go home and he'll go home as well," McElroy said.
This incident has given both deputies a new perspective on what it means to protect and serve their Orange community.
"Definitely to enter even routine calls with caution. That's something that's very important that I've learned. That even if it's a theft call, you just never know," McElroy said.
Later it was determined that there was no intruder inside the home.
It took a week for Cpl. Landers to fully recover and get back to work.