Galllipolis , Gallia County , Ohio

Gallipolis Police Officer Jamie Bartels spoke first to WCHSTV.COM early Friday morning about the shooting earlier in the week.

Bartels told Eyewitness News he and his partner, Shallon Shuldt were called to the scene of a domestic dispute because county sheriff's deputies were on a meth bust. The shooting occurred about midnight Monday at an apartment complex off McCormick Road in Gallipolis Township. The suspect, Cole Creighton Miller, 28, of Gallia County was arrested on felonious assault charges

"Not long after we arrived on scene, a woman from the apartment came out and told me and my partner the man inside was waiting for us with a shotgun,” Bartels said. “A few minutes later, I heard a shotgun being fired and wadding flying everywhere.

“At that point I wasn't hit. My partner and I took cover behind our vehicle and advised him to come out; he failed to follow orders. I had a bad feeling and went to get my shotgun out of my cruiser. I noticed he was peeping around the door inside the apartment, but I couldn't return fire because my partner was in front of me. I told my partner to get out of the line of fire.

“I don't remember hearing or being shot at first, but once I did, I yelled 'I've been hit!' and I went down on one knee to make cover for myself. Another Gallipolis police officer, Chris Withee, came to me. Due to lack of manpower that night, a county ambulance was not immediately available. Another ambulance was taking too long, so Officer Withee drove me to the hospital.”

As for the suspect, he knew what he was doing. He was actually taking cover himself.

Bartels is going through a tough time while he recovers from his wounds. “It hurts, the pain is unbearable, and now I realize my everyday lifestyle has changed with what I do with work and of course the financial strain. I have no income until worker's compensation goes through.

“I do consider myself lucky. If that shot had been 2 inches closer to the center of my chest, I might not be here. I have a lot of buck shot in my left shoulder, arm, face and hand."

Click the link for the complete uncut interview with Officer Bartels.

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