A police officer from St. Louis, Missouri, is praising and thanking the Lord for saving his life after he was ambushed inside his car by a group of gunmen last July 14.

In an interview with USA Today, the 39-year-old police sergeant, who declined to give his name to protect his family, said he was on duty in the wee hours of that day patrolling the Central West End.

"It was a hot St. Louis July night like so many others I've worked before," he said, adding that because of the heat he decided to take off his bullet proof vest.

He said he had already done his rounds on the entertainment district for two hours, checking doors and gates, when he noticed a group of people loitering on the streets at around 4:30 a.m.

"They were just walking. There was nothing particular about them but the hairs on my neck stood up," he said. "And at that point there was a voice that told me to grab my vest. I know it was God."

He did not hesitate putting his vest back on, and in the end, he was glad he did because that split-second decision saved his life. The men approached him and opened fire.

"I realised I was shot," he said. He then began praying for "the peace of mind to stay alive" for his young son and his wife. "And my prayers were answered," he said, since his vest helped stop the bullet from hitting his ribs.

Doctors have given the police officer the green signal to go back to work. He is still undergoing counselling though but he hopes to be well enough to report to work again come September.

He said he is also grateful that his shooting helped stop the suspects from committing any further crimes.

A company decided to replace his personal car, which was shot 14 times, since it was the one he was using on the night of the attack.

"I know it sounds funny, but I'm glad that I stood in the gap of someone else not being a victim of these individuals wanting to cause crime in the neighbourhood. I'm glad I was there to stop them from doing that and make an arrest on these guys before they hurt anybody else," he said.