Man sentenced to prison for stabbing Wheat Ridge police officer in 2022

GOLDEN, Colo. — A Colorado family feels some closure but also the continued struggle to recover after a man was sentenced to prison Thursday for stabbing a Wheat Ridge police officer multiple times in 2022.

Andre Deshawn Jones, 32, was sentenced to 32 years in prison on multiple charges related to the attempted murder of police officer Allan Fischer in 2022, plus three years for assaulting a Jefferson County deputy while he was in custody in 2023.

Man sentenced to 32 years for stabbing Wheat Ridge police officer 12 times

The Jefferson County courtroom was packed for Thursday’s sentencing, and two additional courtrooms were opened to accommodate Fischer’s family, friends and fellow officers.

The charges date back to April 13, 2022. Around 1 a.m. that day, Wheat Ridge police responded to 1100 W. 44th Avenue after receiving a report of a suspicious U-Haul that had struck a fence at the Prospect RV Park. Two police officers approached the driver, who stabbed Fischer several times in the neck, chest and back.

The other officer was able to take the suspect, later identified as Jones, into custody. Police provided medical care to Fischer before paramedics arrived and took him to the hospital, where he underwent surgery. He was released from the hospital the next day.

Watch his celebrated release from the hospital in April 2022 in the video below.

Wheat Ridge Officer Who Was Stabbed While Responding to a Call Released from Hospital

Fischer returned to work in October 2022.

After a six-day trial, a jury deliberated for less than four hours in August before finding Jones guilty of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault (threatening a police officer with a deadly weapon), first-degree assault (causing intentionally causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon), first-degree aggravated motor vehicle theft and resisting arrest.

At his sentencing Thursday, he also pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree assault on a peace officer. This charge stemmed from his assault on a Jefferson County Jail deputy while he was in custody in September 2023.

Before the sentencing, several people, including Fischer’s family members, provided victim impact statements. Many of them recalled learning about the incident and described the impact on them over the years.

Kathleen Fischer, his wife, said her husband loved his job and she was proud of him, even with the sacrifices the job required. She recalled the night she learned he had been stabbed 12 times and how their lives have changed since then.

“Judge, my daughters and I were sentenced to life in prison without parole due to Mr. Jones’ actions that night, so I ask that you sentence Mr. Jones to the maximum possible sentence,” she said.

His two daughters, Jordan Fischer and Kylee Fischer, also had their voices heard in court. Jordan Fischer wrote a letter that was read aloud and Kylee Fischer spoke in person. Both are currently police officers.

“When I’m dispatched to a stabbing call now, I always have my dad’s incident running through my mind. When I just see a knife in the kitchen or a pocket knife, my mind keeps going back to the incident,” said Jordan Fischer. . “Judge, my father has been through a lot and is very lucky he didn’t die that night. My father is not the same man he has been since the incident happened. Not only did Mr. Jones take a lot from my father, but he also of my family.”

Kylee Fischer, who now works as a police officer with the Wheat Ridge Police Department, told the court she began going on rides with her father when she was a teenager and was “captivated by the bravery and respect that comes with that job.”

“My father was my hero and I admired everything he stood for,” she said. “Inspired by his example, I made the decision to stop being a teacher and become a police officer.”

She said her family changed forever after her father was injured.

“That trauma will forever remain in my mind and I still have frequent nightmares and the frightening radio traffic from that night replays in my head,” she said. “This has altered the way I see the world around me. Your Honor, the suspect stole my career that day – a career he loved and valued. As police officers, we are sworn to serve our community, uphold the law and hold individuals accountable for their actions.” My father will never have that opportunity again. In a way, the suspect killed my father that night. The man who came home after that horrible incident is not the same man who went to work with a smile on his face every day. , when you talk to my father, you can feel the weight of what he’s lost. It’s the weight in his voice, the way his laughter has disappeared.

She asked the judge to hold Jones accountable and sentence him to the maximum.

Following these statements, Jones made a brief statement.

“My actions have led me to this day,” he said. “I take responsibility for my own actions.”

The district judge in Poland then sentenced Jones to prison.

After leaving the courtroom, Alan Fischer spoke briefly with a group of reporters.

“I hope my family and I can move on now and not be reminded of this any more than we already have been,” he said, adding that there were times when he doubted the case would ever reach trial and verdict.

He loved his job as a patrol officer, and although he sometimes wishes he could return to that role, he said he has a great group of people to work with in the police department’s records department.

“There’s really no forgiveness. I’m not a bad person. I don’t think bad or wish bad on people,” he said. “But in this case, like I said, it’s more about protecting society going forward. I don’t think he felt any remorse for what he did. I think he’s just more remorseful about going to prison.”

“I was well-liked at the Wheat Ridge Police Department, but I didn’t know how much,” he continued. “For a long time I didn’t realize the impact my incident had on all law enforcement, not just Wheat Ridge, not just Jefferson County… I’m not a hero. ability.”

Wheat Ridge Police Chief Chris Murtha said Fischer is still not only a member of the police department, but also a member of the family.

“Alan said he’s not a hero. Alan is an ordinary guy who does extraordinary things. Just like every other member of this agency and law enforcement,” Murtha said. “I think the message sent today is: not only does the Wheat Ridge community support us, what they do, but we also feel the support of the entire region. It sends a message to first responders that even though there may be negativity in the sometimes , today is a day when we can say, ‘Yes, this work is worth doing.’ I think it validates Alan’s 20 years of service to say that if you harm a first responder, a police officer, then you will receive the appropriate punishment.”