Slaps on the back and handshakes greeted Bismarck Police Sgt. Steve Lundin as he walked into the police department at about 10 a.m. Monday for another day of work.

A bandaged hand and a slight limp were the only signs of anything out of the ordinary. His usual smile and calculated jokes gave little indication that just two days earlier he took a bullet for his city and department.

Lundin, a more than eight-year veteran with the force, was among 10 special incident team members who executed a search warrant for methamphetamine and paraphernalia at a 127 Northwest Drive mobile home. He was the first one to reach a back bedroom door of the mobile home, and after two attempts to open it, was fired upon. One of the shots through the door passed through Lundin's right thigh.

"Everyone in this position has to make a decision whether they're willing to take this risk," Lundin said. "Construction workers fall off ladders or shoot nails through their hands and police officers get shot and stabbed."

With bullets whizzing above his head, Lundin dropped to the ground and began to crawl out of the narrow hallway. His team members returned fire over him until he made it to safety. Lundin said he knew if he was trapped inside his team members would have to return for him.

"The thing that affected me the most was seeing the way the guys on my SWAT team were willing to put their lives on the line to make sure I made it out of that trailer," Lundin said. "We've always been a family but our family is even closer now."

Lundin was taken to the emergency room at St. Alexius Medical Center for treatment for the bullet wound and three fingers he broke during his retreat. One of his first questions for the doctor was whether he could get crutches and be released so he could return to the action.

"I felt like it was my family out there," Lundin said. "It was difficult not to be able to be down there and be able to put my life on the line like they did for me."

Lundin said he wasn't able to sleep Saturday, but not because of the pain. He spent the night calling dispatch to get updates on the standoff.

Monday morning it was back to the daily grind for Lundin, although he was put on light duty. He refuses to take any pain medication because it would interfere with his duties and driving.

Lundin's duties include supervisor of investigation and commander of the bomb squad and he's trained as a sniper and entry team member on the special incident unit.

"I have no intention of getting off the SWAT team and I'm eager to get on regular-duty status so I can join these guys on the call-outs," Lundin said.

(Reach reporter Mike Albrecht at 250-8261 or cops@ndonline.com.)