. >> he was talking about living in moscow and cairo and dakar. and it's amazing. >> a worldly guy. >> very much, so. a great conversationalist and -- and fun to talk with. >> reporter: but recently, byron wasn't himself. his house had been broken into a few times. the thieves taking everything, from money to precious, family heirlooms. the langs say their friend had become afraid. >> he was acting real quiet, real scared. >> reporter: and then, that crime-scene van showed up outside byron's home, and kathy was sure her friend was in trouble. >> just worry and panic. it's like, something's wrong. >> reporter: she was right. something was wrong. burglars had struck, again. this time, byron was home, and he had a gun. he had managed to defend himself, and survived the break-in. >> if you break into somebody's home, you better not have an expectation you're going to walk out alive, because the law permits them to shoot you. >> reporter: wetzel was the sheriff. when two intruders broke into his house and crept downstairs, byron shot both of them, dead