(Kershaw County) Dec. 29, 2003 - A member of the South Carolina Highway Patrol was wounded Saturday night when a routine traffic stop went bad.

Sgt. Sinkler always knew he wanted to be a state trooper,"To me, highway patrol is one of the elite branches of law enforcement in South Carolina. That's what I wanted to do."

From day one, he says he's understood the dangers of the job, "You treat every stop like it's your last. You go up, like you are trained and do what you're supposed to do, Use caution. You don't know what someone is going to do."

Executive Director of Public Safety Sid Gaulden says around 8:45pm Saturday Sgt. James Sinkler pulled over Eric Maradiaga, 31, on Highway 34 in Kershaw County. Investigators say Maradiaga fired shots at Sinkler, who returned fire. He will be charged when he is released from the hospital.

Sinkler's hand was hit in the gunfire. He was also hit twice in the chest, where both bullets were stopped by his bulletproof vest. He is being treated at Kershaw County Medical Center for his hand wound.

Sgt. Sinkler's wife, Kathy says he never leaves home without his vest, "He's always been faithful about wearing his vest, and you can't help but to think how it would have been if he didn't have it on. He probably wouldn't be here today."

Lance Corporal Mayola James paused when she put on her vest Monday morning, "You do think about it. It makes you more cautious, I'd say."

James is just one of the many state troopers who have visited Sgt. Sinkler since he's been in the hospital, "It's like a family. The highway patrol is like one big happy family. When one person goes down, everybody comes together and pitches in and helps anyway they can."

But Monday, James will be Sinkler's last visitor because he's headed home.

Sinkler's wife is ready for her husband to come home, "Relieved, tired of coming up here, just ready to go home."

And though Sinkler looks forward to going back to work once his hand heals, he's grateful to spend a little extra time with the ones he loves, "I'm going to relax and take it easy and enjoy my family and friends."

Investigators say Eric Maradiaga, who was also shot several times, is recovering a Palmetto Richland. He will be charged with assault and battery and possession of a stolen vehicle after he is released from the hospital. Kershaw County Sheriff Steve McCaskill says Maradiaga will face other charges also.

Kershaw County Sheriff Stephen McCaskill says Maradiaga was driving a stolen car and carrying a stolen gun. Kershaw County sheriff's department is investigating the incident.

Reporting by Heather Brown

updated 10:02am by Eva Pilgrim