TYLER, Texas, July 21, 2006
Trooper Survived 'By Grace Of God'
Shot At Pointblank Range During Traffic Stop; Recalls Ordeal
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Play CBS Video Video 'Grace Of God' Saves Trooper Trooper Steven Stone was shot at point-blank range by two men during a traffic stop in Tyler, Texas - and it was caught on tape. He joins Harry Smith to talk about his miraculous survival.
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Video Sentence In Taped Cop Shooting A man who was caught on tape shooting a Texas trooper several times was sentenced to life in prison, reports Jane Slater. Some say it is a miracle the trooper survived.
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Texas state trooper Steven Stone, on The Early Show Friday (CBS/The Early Show)
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Gunfire aimed at Stone, as seen from video captured by his dashcam (CBS/The Early Show)
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Interactive Guns In America State-by-state gun laws and death rates, maps of recent school and workplace shootings and facts on who's at risk.
He just had surgery and told Smith he has "some physical therapy ahead of me before I have an opportunity to go back to work."
Stone adds that he thinks his training also helped him stay alive.
"Everything happened so fast," he told CBS News, "I thought about my family and soon-to-be-two-year-old daughter. We are taught in the training academy, just because you're hurt, doesn't mean you give up and die.
" … I honestly don't remember how I got back to the patrol car. I don't know if I walked or crawled. I just don't know. I just remember reaching for the mike and calling for help."
Two suspects were apprehended after a high-speed chase, authorities say.
Mexican national Ramon Armando Ramos, 38, pleaded guilty earlier this week to 14 counts of aggravated assault on a public servant with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to 14 life terms. Francisco Saucedo faces the same charges in a trial scheduled next month.
During Ramos' trial, Stone testified that, as he was being shot, he thought he was going to die.
Stone told CBS News the judge dealt properly with Ramos. Said Stone, "Considering the injuries I sustained and the total disregard for citizens, I think it's fair."
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Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
