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Man Who Shot Police Officer Del Pearson Sentenced To 25 Years In Prison

By Erica Demarest | May 12, 2016 10:14am | Updated on May 13, 2016 11:29am
 Paris Sadler (l.) pleaded guilty to shooting Chicago Police Officer Del Pearson (r.) in 2012.
Paris Sadler (l.) pleaded guilty to shooting Chicago Police Officer Del Pearson (r.) in 2012.
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Cook County Sheriff's Office; Facebook

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A Cook County judge on Thursday sentenced Paris Sadler to 25 years in prison for the 2012 shooting of a Chicago Police officer.

Officer Del Pearson, a second-generation Chicago cop, was shot just above his protective vest as he chased Sadler during an overnight shift in the South Chicago District on March 19, 2012, the Tribune reported at the time.

Pearson was rushed to a hospital in critical condition and survived his wounds after several surgeries.

During a brief sentencing hearing Thursday, Pearson took the stand to thank his fellow Chicago Police officers for their speedy, professional response the night he was shot. He credited police and hospital personnel with saving his life.

Sadler, now 24, was set to go to trial this week, but in a surprise move pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempted murder of a peace officer.

Judge Thaddeus Wilson on Thursday sentenced Sadler to 25 years in prison followed by three years probation. Sadler was credited with serving more than four years in jail awaiting trial, and will have to complete at least 85 percent of the 25-year sentence.

Pearson, by joining the police force, "wrote a blank check up to and including his life," Assistant State's Attorney Dan Groth said in court Thursday. "This defendant almost cashed it for him."

Relatives of both Pearson and Sadler declined to speak with the media Thursday.

According to media reports, Pearson was shot about 10:45 p.m. March 19, 2012, in the 8400 block of South Kingston Avenue. He had stopped to question alleged curfew violators, one of whom took off running into an alley. Pearson chased the man, later revealed to be Sadler, and Sadler opened fire — striking Pearson in his chest.

Police later found the .38-caliber blue-steel revolver used in the shooting inside Sadler's mother's basement, according to the Tribune.

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