It was seven years ago when Officer Mathew Crosby stared down the barrel of a gun — a moment that changed his life forever. He’s taking a break from his everyday struggles in the comfort of the great outdoors.

“It take six to seven hours to get ready everyday,” Retired Rock Hill Police Officer Mathew Crosby said. 

Retired St. Louis police officer Mathew Crosby says its been a difficult seven years of recovery since his accident. 

“He opened the door and just started shooting at us while looking down on us probably just like four or five yards away,” Crosby said. “It was personal.”

Face to face with cross fire, Crosby was shot and instantly paralyzed while on the job in 2010. 

“As far as training or being prepared for dealing with people like this, I was ready.”

Today, Crosby shows no sign of defeat thanks to the help of one non-profit.

Buckmasters Northwest Arkansas grants the wishes of disabled veterans, children battling illnesses, and injured first responders who want to go on hunting and fishing trips. 

So now, It’s Crosby’s turn to pull the trigger.

“I see him starting to open up more and just relax,” President of Buckmasters NWA Lindell Roth said. “I heard him say just to be out here — you don’t have to worry about anything.”

Buckmasters NWA allows people to escape from their daily struggles and just enjoy the outdoors.

“You see those people that deal with it daily and it is no big deal to them,” Roth said. “We may have our problems throughout the day and it really makes you appreciate it.”

“We’ve learned more from these people than actually what they learn from us out here,” Roth said. “And I think that is the biggest key.”

Although, Crosby’s eye trained on a buck, the real prize is the message he hopes to share with his children.  

“I like to show my kids just because something bad happens to you or you have difficulties you can still persevere and push on,” Crosby said.