Jesus Hilario Rodela pleaded guilty to first-degree assault charges that were filed after he shot two police vehicles in January 2022.
Longmont Police Officers were called to the area of Longs Peak Avenue and Baker Street to respond to a found stolen vehicle. The officers were also informed that the suspect, Rodela, and other individuals may be in the area, according to a news release from the Boulder County District Attorney.
Student Resource Officer Chris Borchowiec moved into position to protect Columbine Elementary when he encountered Rodela. Borchowiec attempted to cut off Rodela’s escape route with his marked police vehicle, the news release stated.
Rodela fired shots at Borchowiec who responded by putting the vehicle in park and diving out onto the ground to take cover from the gunfire, according to the news release.
SRO Sergeant John Garcia arrived at the scene and also received gunfire from Rodela. Garcia accelerated his vehicle and struck Rodela.
Rodela sustained significant injuries and the police immediately rendered medical aid, the Leader reported a year ago.
Garcia underwent an investigation by the county’s Critical Incident Team which determined he acted lawfully.
Rodela was on parole at the time from a sentence in Weld County which he absconded from in September 2021, according to the news release.
“Mr. Rodela was the subject of two active arrest warrants that had identified him as the suspect in multiple cases involving felony aggravated motor vehicle theft charges,” the news release read.
A trial was scheduled for today, however, Rodela “decided to accept responsibility and entered guilty pleas to two counts of First Degree Assault on a Peace Officer,” according to the release.
Rodela was sentenced to 60 years in state prison.
District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated, “The victim officers had responded quickly and courageously to protect community members in Longmont. They faced direct gunfire from this defendant. The defendant put their lives, and the lives of community members, at serious risk. This lengthy sentence is the right outcome, based on his dangerous and violent conduct as well as his criminal history. I appreciate the work of the Longmont Police Department and the prosecution team in securing this sentence.”
"Longmont Public Safety also wishes to extend their gratitude to the Boulder County District Attorney’s prosecutors and to the Boulder County Investigations Team who have spent an extraordinary amount of time and effort in adjudication of this case. I appreciate our DA’s Office for all the work they did on this case, and I know it was as important to them as it was to our officers. Longmont Police remains appreciative of the message which ultimately condemns violence. Those in possession of firearms need to understand that there are going to be severe consequences when you use weapons illegally against others," said Police Chief Jeff Satur.
