An American policeman had a lucky escape when a suspected drink-driver shot him - but the bullet hit his handcuffs and ricocheted away.

Police in Pierce County, in the state of U.S. Washington, said that a two-man patrol had started chasing the gunman when they suspected him of driving under the influence (DUI) on Tuesday night, December 12.

The situation escalated when the suspect pulled over and shot at the police officers. Miraculously, the bullet hit the officer's pouch with his metal handcuffs inside and bounced away - potentially saving his life.

The ice-cool officer shrugged off the direct hit and even refused hospital treatment as he was unscathed. He stayed at the scene and helped to nail the shooter as backup arrived.

A spokesman for the Pierce County Sheriff's Department said: 'The suspect is in custody and being transported to the hospital.

'The second deputy in the two-man car was actually struck in his handcuff pouch by a bullet. He is uninjured.

'The shooting investigation will now be handled by the Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT).

'One deputy believed he had been struck and was immediately taken to an ambulance. He was thoroughly checked and found to have no serious injuries and was not transported to the hospital.'

The incident started shortly before midnight on December 12 and ended several hours later with the driver being cornered in a dead end on 4300 Vickery Ave E.

The attack resulted in an armed stand-off between police and the gunman who ended up trapped in his car surrounded by SWAT teams. Tacoma SWAT also had an armoured vehicle on the scene.

Police issued a bulletin warning locals to stay away and the situation ended when the man was shot and officers confirmed that an investigation was now underway by the Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT) after the suspect was hospitalised with serious injuries.