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Man Sentenced To Maximum For Shooting At Officer During Traffic Stop

ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - A man who shot an Aurora police officer in 2014 received the maximum sentence Tuesday. It was an emotional hearing as tears flowed from both sides when the judge announced that Jahvell Forrest will spend the next 30 years behind bars.

Forrest was 20 years old when he shot Officer Ryan Burns during a routine traffic stop in November of 2014.

Police said Forrest fired at Burns from a car he had stolen shortly before. He sped away from the scene in a van and was captured two days later.

officer ryan burns
Ryan Burns (courtesy to CBS)

Forrest went to trial in January and was convicted on numerous class five felonies, including reckless attempted manslaughter, aggravated motor vehicle theft and second degree assault.

In court for the sentencing, the defense painted a picture of a tumultuous childhood suffered by Forrest that included his biological father influencing the crime that night. Forrest apologized but it didn't seem to make much of an impact on the judge.

WEB EXTRA: Officer Ryan Burns At Sentencing

The judge said Forrest didn't show any remorse and appeared to be only sorry that he was caught, despite an apology given to the court.

The judge said he felt obligated to send a message to deter others from committing similar crimes, "This community should make no mistake, it is not open hunting season on law enforcement."

Burns has since recovered and returned to work.

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