Kevin Rojas, the 21-year-old who shot a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office officer during a gun battle in 2016, was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison.
The officer, who Action News Jax is not identifying because he continues to work in undercover operations, spoke at the sentencing and not only had several words for Rojas but brought along a visual aid to convey a pointed message:
"I will take those bullets instead of a fellow officer or innocent bystander," the officer, who was ambushed by Rojas, said on the stand. "When I brought the fight back, you ran like a coward."
"I brought a little gift for you," the officer said. "You will need it where you are going."
The officer then pulled out a bottle of lotion.
In March 2016, the officer noticed Rojas driving erratically in west Jacksonville. The officer, who had his son in his unmarked car, tried to pull over Rojas, but Rojas stopped and began firing at the officer.
The officer returned fire, and Rojas fled. Rojas later stole a truck and was shot three times while engaging other officers who rushed to the scene.
The state called the ambush of the detective "any officer's worst nightmare."
About the Author
