A man who shot a San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officer during a pursuit through City Heights in 2013, was found guilty on all charges and received the maximum sentence allowed by the court Wednesday.
Ignacio Canela was sentenced to 40 years to life plus 14 years after being convicted of attempted murder.
Canela shot five-year-veteran officer Tim Bell in the arm, leg and chest during a vehicle and foot chase that started when officers were running surveillance on Canela, who had outstanding felony warrants.
Canela shot Bell four times inside a drainage tunnel under the split between Interstate 805 and Interstate 15 during the pursuit.
He also has an extensive criminal history, having been to prison four times already.
He previously spent a year in prison for possession of methamphetamine and assault with a deadly weapon and was later charged for possession of methamphetamine for sale and possession of cocaine.
Deputy district attorney Michael Runyon read a statement from Bell's wife in court Wednesday:
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“Our children were terrified and fearful that they might lose their daddy that day. I never want to see those looks on their little faces again."
Officer Bell's wife said she forgives Canela, even though she has every right to hate him.
The judge said he gave Canela the maximum sentence because of his prior convictions.
