(KYTX) TYLER - Chris Summerville, the man accused shooting Smith County Deputy Josh Caulkins in late March 2011, pleaded guilty Monday afternoon.Summerville pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault of a public servant as part of a plea agreement.
In March 2011 the Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force arrived at his girlfriend's apartment to arrest Summerville for violating his parole.
Summerville failed to register as a sex offender. Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham says as deputies entered the apartment. Summerville sat in a back bedroom of this apartment with this 16 gage sawed off shotgun.
"He's a sex offender using narcotics who has violated his parole and when these officers very brave officers go to arrest him. He puts the shot gun to the officers chest and pulls the trigger," Bingham said.
Smith County Deputy Josh Caulkins was wearing a bullet proof vest when he was hit.
"Fortunately, he shot him in the chest plate or he would be dead," Bingham said.
As this photograph shows, Summerville fired more shots in a shootout with officers. Monday afternoon Summerville pleaded guilty to shooting Caulkins and at US Marshal Mike Rojilio. Both officers sat in the courtroom as the judge handed down two life sentences. Summerville also got an additional 20 years for an unauthorized use of a firearm by a felon.
"In a case like this you cant get the death penalty you can't get life without parole the most you can get is life where he's eligible in 30 years and that's exactly what he got," Bingham said.
Summerville had nothing to say as he was ushered out of the courtroom. The 27-year-old will now head to prison he won't be eligible for parole until he's 63 years old.
Officer Caulkins declined a request for an interview, but he says he is still recovering. He says while he is back on the job, he's still in physical therapy.
Bingham says that Caulkins was happy about the sentence.
The other charges were dismissed the D.A. says he wanted Summerville life in prison and that's what he also and as part of the plea deal Summerville gave up his right to appeal.
UPDATE (2:05 p.m.) - In addition to receiving life for shooting Deputy Josh Caulkins, Summerville received an additional 20 years for unlawful carrying of a weapon.
TYLER (KYTX) -- Christopher Summerville pleads guilty to shooting a Smith County Deputy during a federal warrant service in March, 2011.
Summerville waived his rights to appeal and has received a life sentence.
Summerville had two separate counts levied against him which were aggravated assault against a public servant, for both of which the state recommended a life sentence.
Summerville injured Deputy Josh Caulkins when he shot at him with a 12 gauge shot gun.
Caulkins was wearing a bullet proof vest but was injured in the shooting.
He is now back on the job and still recovering.
