Man who shot and wounded two St. Louis police officers sentenced to 20 years

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Warning 4) – A man who shot two St. Louis Metropolitan police officers in February 2023, wounding both, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Cortez D. Sipes, 38, pleaded guilty in September to two counts of first-degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm and resisting arrest. His sentencing Friday came with both injured officers and several other members of the department present in the courtroom, according to a news release from the 22nd Judicial Circuit.

Police officers Sean Miskovic and Lucas Roethlisberger spoke during the hearing about the impact of a gunshot wound.

Miskovic gave Sipes a Bible with a message in it. He told him he didn’t hate him and hoped he would find peace and God while serving his sentence, the news release said.

“I pray for you, your family and your soul,” Miscovic told him during the hearing.

It was the second time Officer Roethlisberger was shot while on duty, the news release said. The officer was also shot in 2010. He asked Sipes during the Friday hearing why he opened fire. He talked about the bullet that hit his side and wondered if he would survive.

“I thought I was going to die,” Roethlisberger told the court.

The shooting took place on Feb. 2, 2023, when Sipes, who was suspected of a previous robbery, fled a traffic stop through the Soulard Market and crashed his pickup. He then opened fire on the officers, striking both in the upper body. The officers returned fire, hitting Sipes in the ankle, the news release said.

Sipes, who has previous convictions for assault on a law enforcement officer and unlawful possession of a firearm, apologized for his actions during the hearing, the news release said.

Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore and Police Chief Robert Tracy also joined officers in the courtroom Friday. Tracy later issued a statement on social media, citing the dedication of the agency’s officers, who risk their lives to protect the city.

“It is by the grace of God that the two officers survived after being shot in the line of duty,” Tracy said. “Today’s sentencing reinforces our community’s commitment to holding accountable individuals who disrespect human life.”