TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- A southeastern Arizona sheriff who had stopped to help what appeared to be a stranded motorist was attacked by the shotgun-wielding driver and shot after struggling to deflect the gun from his face.

Graham County Sheriff Frank Hughes was hit in the chest by a blast from a .410-gauge shotgun around 11:40 p.m. Monday, sheriff's Cmdr. Tim Graver said. He returned fire as the gunman fled to his car and drove away with a woman passenger.

A passing motorist found Hughes lying by the side of the rural roadway and summoned help. He was taken to a hospital in Safford, where he was in good condition but remained Tuesday for continued observation and rest.

The sheriff's bulletproof vest took all the trauma from the shotgun blast. "He's doing fine," Graver said.

Hughes, 53, has just weeks remaining on the job after losing a bid for a fourth term in office last month.

Authorities issued an alert to law enforcement officials in nearby counties seeking a dark blue Nissan sedan occupied by a man and a woman. But no progress was reported Tuesday in locating the suspect.

Hughes was listed in good condition at the Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center, spokesman Ryan Rapier said.

Graver said Hughes underwent a series of tests, including a CAT scan and an MRI, and was admitted as a precautionary step.

"We're extremely grateful," said Terry Cooper, manager of the rural eastern Arizona county, which has a population of about 35,000.

"Sheriff Hughes is one of the good guys of the world. He cares deeply about our community."

Hughes has served 12 years as sheriff and will leave office in January. "The last few months, he's been trying to spend a lot more time out with the troops," Cooper said. "That's why he was out last night."

Hughes was patrolling on Safford Bryce Road north of Thatcher when he saw a car stopped with either its trunk or hood open, Graver said. The sheriff had reached into his own vehicle, possibly to get a flashlight, when the driver of the vehicle walked up behind him and pointed a shotgun in his face.

Hughes and the gunman struggled over the weapon and Hughes managed to pull the shotgun down toward his body before it fired and struck him in the chest.

Hughes was discovered minutes later by the son of an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer and a friend, who used the sheriff's radio to call help. Graver said there was no other traffic in the area when the shooting occurred.

Graham County is the fourth-smallest of Arizona's 15 counties, and its economy traditionally has been centered on agriculture, although Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. has opened up a new copper mining project in the Safford area. The University of Arizona also has a major telescope installation south of Safford on Mount Graham in the Pinaleno Mountains.

Safford, Thatcher and Pima - three contiguous communities from east to west - are where the bulk of the county's population lives.

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