PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
Ralph Turner, the man convicted of trying to kill six Portland police officers in a welfare check turned terribly violent, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison.
"It is my intention that you spend the rest of your life in prison," the judge told Turner.
Before the sentencing, Officer Parik Singh, who was seriously wounded on March 6, 2011, addressed Turner and said the pain and scar from that day will stay with him forever.
"You tried to rob me of my own life," said Singh. "I have a son. I have a sister, a brother; I have parents. You tried to take me away from them."
Singh, who was struck by a bullet in the abdomen, was hospitalized and spent months recovering after the shooting.
"I came there that day to help you," Singh told Turner in court. "You started to hurt us. You shot at Officer Kofoed, Sgt. Reed Hunt, but twelve minutes later, you shot at me."
Investigators say a total of six officers were shot at by Turner, who was convicted on counts of attempted aggravated murder for each officer.
Police were called to Turner's home in March of 2011, after receiving a 911 call that Turner was suicidal. Shortly after officers arrived, Turner began firing through his front door, then through a window with a hunting rifle.
"I have never been a violent man," Turner said in court Wednesday. "I don't know why this happened, I honestly don't."
During his trial, Turner said he suffered from delirium and dementia. Today, he told officers he's sorry for the injuries he caused.
"I thank God every day that no one was killed," said Turner. "I pray for you and your family and all the other officers that they'll be able to heal physically and mentally."
However, outside of court, Singh said, "I don't think he can apologize, now it's too late."
Singh said over the past year and through the court proceedings, Turner has not shown remorse. He was the only officer who gave an impact statement Wednesday. Hunt, who was also injured, had retired but died last month at age 51.
Prosecutors who have been in touch with Hunt's family said the trauma of that day continued to affect him and aggravated his health issues.
Turner is not eligible for early release, according to the district attorney's office. The 35-year sentence keeps 62-year-old Turner in prison through his late 90s.
Following the sentencing, Turner's family read a prepared statement and said the family would like to apologize for Turner's actions.
"Our family respects and appreciates the dedication of our law enforcement. We regret this tragedy and pray for the forgiveness of the officers involved and their families," said Christina Blackwell, Turner's sister.
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