QUEENS — An Ozone Park man who shot an off-duty NYPD officer after he tried to stop the man from assaulting his ex-girlfriend and her 10-year-old son was sentenced to up to 66 years in prison Thursday, the Queens District Attorney announced.
Jose Bernazard, 42, will serve up to 66 years and four months behind bars after breaking an order of protection and assaulting his ex and her 10-year-old son in her Jamaica home on June 16, 2013. The Queens man then shot Police Officer Joseph Koch after he happened upon the assault after leaving a Father’s Day barbecue.
“The police officer didn’t hesitate to act. There was a brief struggle and during that struggle the defendant grabbed the officer’s gun and fired a round. A bullet struck the officer and shattered the bones in his hand,” Queens DA Richard Brown said in a statement.
Despite his wound, Koch was able to arrest Bernazard. However, Brown said the injury "was severe enough that the law enforcement officer was forced to give up the job of his dreams — being a New York City Police Officer.”
A jury convicted Bernazard on April 18 of attempted murder, assault and burglary, amongst other charges.
Bernazard had stalked and assaulted his ex at least three times before the shooting, according to the DA, including choking and punching her while she slept in her home.
He was sentenced in Queens Supreme Court by Justice Deborah Stevens Modica.
Bernazard’s lawyer did not return an immediate request for comment.
