Meth labs are unfortunately a common occurrence in Barren County.

So whenever a meth lab is located, its a matter of safety as law enforcement agencies try to shut down the lab without becoming victims themselves.

Monday's close call shows just how thin the line is when it comes to meth lab busts.

"In this type of situation here, we went into it and its kind of like it goes bad all at once," says Barren County Deputy Sheriff Steve Runyon.

He recalls after responding to a home on Oak Hill School Road, the Barren County Sheriff's Department along with Drug Task Force and the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms found James and Vicky Minor inside.

Then the agencies proceeded inside to search.

"The sheriff was in the kitchen area and he was looking through a trash can and as he was looking through the trash can, its like he was overcome by some type of odor...fumes."

At that point, Runyon says Sheriff Chris Eaton began throwing up and complaining of pain in his chest and legs.

Eaton also suffered chemical burns to his face.

"The dangers... obviously we know what the dangers are and these chemicals are very toxic," adds Runyon.

Runyon also felt the effects of the lethal toxins later that evening.

"I had felt some numbness around my lips and my face that night when I went home. I had an extreme migraine headache," he recalls.

Most of the time agencies like drug task force go in to meth lab with protective suits on, but Runyon says the owner of the home told them that there was nothing inside.

He says while this situation may not have been preventable, they are still looking into it.

"Its something that we're going to look at and we have looked at, but like i said "Hindsight is 20/20" and this will be a good learning tool for us."

Both James and Vicky Minor were arrested and charged with several counts "manufacturing meth" and "wanton endangerment".

Sheriff Eaton is still at TJ Samson Hospital Wednesday evening, where he's undergoing tests.

He's going through physical therapy for the pain in his legs and is on breathing treatment.

He told WBKO that he has no feeling on the left side of his face right now.