41 Action News sat down with Don Fowler, the man victimized on Wednesday, the same day Officer Tom Wagstaff was shot in Fowler's yard after a botched burglary.
Fowler, 82, said he tried to protect his home in the face of an attack, but stressed Wagstaff is the real hero.
"Physically, I'll get well. Emotionally, it's going to take some time because it happened right here in this house," Fowler said.
On Wednesday morning, police say two men forced their way into Fowler's home, threatening his life.
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Bound and beaten by the suspects, who police identified as Joe Wyatt and Ronar Santiago-Torres, Fowler wasn't sure what the outcome would be.
"When you heard the sirens - I said, ‘I don't believe that's for me,’ but it was. And I was very thankful that it was coming to a close maybe," Fowler recalled.
Those sirens meant the police were on their way - one of them was Independence Officer Tom Wagstaff.
"I firmly believe that they saved my life and they intervened, and stopped what was going on," Fowler said.
In an attempt to get away, police say Wyatt and Santiago-Torres took Fowler's car keys and drove his SUV through the garage door.
Wagstaff was shot in the yard.
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It's a reality Fowler said is much more painful than his scrapes and bruises.
"You certainly can think about the officer and certainly can use them in your prayers at night, and yes, I'm here and I'm glad to be here, but the real concern is with the officer and with his family,” Fowler said.
While grappling with his own emotions, Fowler's most important message is one of gratitude - and hopes Wagstaff and his family will hear it.
"There's not much you can say to a family; I've been through that with my wife, and I would tell them to have hope and prayers and that we'll all be praying for them," Fowler said, as tears filled his eyes.
Fowler’s family said their focus is supporting the prosecution and the process.
