Suffolk Man Who Shot At Police Officer Sentenced

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — The Middle Island man who shot at a Suffolk County police officer following a car crash in December 2019 was sentenced to prison on Tuesday, Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini said.

Leroy Jones, 28, pleaded guilty on Oct. 27, 2020, to attempted aggravated assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon — a class C violent felony. Jones was sentenced to 11 years in prison with five years of post-release supervision.

"Mr. Jones showed no regard whatsoever for the lives or safety of others, first by fleeing the scene of a crash and then by wantonly shooting at a police officer," Sini said via news release. "[Tuesday's] sentencing holds him accountable for putting those lives at risk and posing a danger to our community. I commend the brave officer who continued to pursue this dangerous individual even in the line of fire, and I thank the prosecutors from my Office for obtaining this just outcome."

Jones was driving a 2020 Volvo sedan southbound on Wellington Road in Middle Island when he hit the passenger side of a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder traveling westbound on Middle Country Road at 8:20 p.m. Dec. 23, 2019.

A Suffolk County police officer in a marked car responded. Jones ran off and fired a handgun at the officer who followed him. The officer, who was not hit, returned fire and continued chasing Jones.

Jones was arrested by Sixth Squad detectives on Jan. 5, 2020, and pleaded guilty later that year.

"Police officers put on their uniform at the start of every tour never knowing what type of danger they face," Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said. "No call is routine. What started as a motor vehicle crash, turned into a life-threatening situation. I would like to commend this officer for his actions, as well as Sixth Squad detectives and the District Attorney’s Office for their dedication to bringing this case to justice and putting Jones behind bars."