COLUMBIA, S.C. - A state trooper who saved the life of a fellow officer during a traffic stop in December 2003 in Kershaw County has received a national award.

Senior Trooper Darren Wilson was awarded the National Trooper of the Year by the International Association of Chiefs of Police in the state and provincial police division this past weekend.

Wilson shot and wounded a man stalking Sgt. James Sinkler after trying to shoot him several times.

"Trooper Wilson's actions in December 2003 were selfless and heroic and no doubt saved Sgt. Sinkler's life and his own," Highway Patrol Col. Russell F. Roark said.

Sinkler was shot several times in his bulletproof vest and once in the hand as he approached a car he pulled over for speeding.

Sinkler called for backup, then hid in the dark as the suspect began to look for him.

Wilson, who was a mile away, rushed to the scene and shot the suspect several times after a confrontation.

Wilson started his law enforcement career as a Clarendon County deputy in 1997. He joined the Highway Patrol in April 2002.

Shortly after receiving the award, Wilson was to report back to military duty in Iraq.