Corporal Lucas Watts of the Oconee (South Carolina) Sheriff’s Office was shot in the head Thursday night Nov. 16. Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw says it’s a miracle he survived.

During a Sunday morning service at Westminster First Baptist Church, Crenshaw told the congregation about the extent of Watts’ injuries and what happened at a Greenville hospital, Fox Carolina reports.

“Just so you all understand the significance of his injuries, I’m not talking about a grazing wound to the head,” Crenshaw said. “I’m talking about a bullet to his brain so that you understand just how significant his injury was. I didn’t share that with my folks on the scene, it wasn’t the time.”

“They carried the wife in and she touches him and he starts moving,” Crenshaw told his church. “A tear rolls down his face.”

Watts was rushed into a risky surgery as Crenshaw said sheriffs from across the region were texting him saying they were praying.

Watts made it through the surgery and through the night. On Friday, Crenshaw said he started responding to verbal commands from nurses.

“Folks, I’m here to tell you from the time he got shot to the time his wife touched him, had to be two-and-half, three hours,” Crenshaw said. “I saw a dead man come back to life... because of God, and because of intervening prayer, I really believe.”

Corporal Watts is in critical but stable condition. He is sedated and on a ventilator according to an update Monday night on his CaringBridge page.

A Serve and Connect page is raising money for the new father and his family.