A DeKalb superior court judge Wednesday sentenced a man in the November 2013 shooting of an Atlanta police officer who was working off duty on the city's east side.
During a pre-trial hearing, judge Gregory Adams sentenced Jermarcus Jordan to 25 years for shooting officer Christopher Smith. Adams ordered that 15 years of the 25-year sentence must be served behind bars.
"[Jordan] ambushed … Smith while he sat in his personal vehicle, wearing his APD uniform and working an approved part-time job," said DeKalb district attorney Robert James. "Officer Smith sustained injuries to both his head and leg. He is truly lucky to be alive after this violent attack."
Jordan, 24, was arrested after being positively identified by multiple witnesses and testing positive for gunshot residue. He was later indicted on various felony charges including criminal attempt to commit a felony, aggravated assault on a peace officer and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
On the night of Nov. 9, 2013, Smith was working an off-duty security job at the Edgewood Court Apartments on Hardee Street, police said, when he was ambushed by a suspect carrying a shotgun. He was hit in the face and leg.
Smith was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released three days later.
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