Posted: 6:45 PM Jul 5, 2012
Reporter: Associated Press

AP-TX--Falling Bullet
Police officer's vest deflects falling bullet
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BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) - Southeast Texas police say a protective vest probably saved the life of one of their officers when he was hit by a falling bullet fired into the air by a Fourth of July reveler.

Beaumont police officer Shaun Boudreaux says he was driving his patrol car with his window down Wednesday night when he heard something hit his chest and felt a sting to his right upper thigh.

Boudreaux turned his flashlight to the floorboard and found a spent bullet. Authorities say the bullet struck a button on Boudreaux's vest, tore the material and shattered the tip of a pen in his left breast pocket before grazing his thigh.

Boudreaux wasn't injured but says he's "thankful the bullet struck me, an officer in a ballistic vest, instead of a child."

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