In a stunning courtroom conclusion, Josiah Perez, a 27-year-old Sachse resident, was handed a 30-year prison sentence for his vicious attack on Sachse police officers. The verdict, delivered by the Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis's office, follows Perez's conviction for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon against a Public Servant.
The harrowing incident unfolded in the early hours of September 2, 2022, as two Sachse police officers were diligently completing their reports inside their parked squad car. Suddenly, Perez emerged from the shadows and unleashed a barrage of gunfire from his short-barreled shotgun through the driver's side window, critically injuring Officer Cory Bable. Despite the chaos, Officer Bable valiantly fought back, attempting to disarm Perez.
Amidst the chaos, Sergeant Brent Merryman sprang into action, returning fire at Perez, who, despite being wounded twice, refused to back down. In a desperate bid to evade capture, Perez circled around the squad car, continuing to threaten the officers with his weapon. However, Merryman's decisive actions neutralized the threat, allowing Perez to be apprehended. During the arrest, officers discovered two additional live shotgun shells on Perez's person.
The trial revealed that the officers had no prior encounters with Perez before the ambush. Further investigation by the Texas Rangers uncovered Perez's troubling criminal history, including a previous conviction for assaulting a police officer in Dallas County.
Throughout the trial's penalty phase, jurors heard compelling testimonies from Mesquite police officers who had previously crossed paths with Perez, shedding light on his alarming behavior. After carefully weighing all evidence presented, the jury handed down a decisive 30-year prison sentence for Perez.
Reflecting on the verdict, District Attorney Greg Willis expressed gratitude for the officers' bravery in the face of danger, stating, "Perez ambushed officers from behind while they were pulled over completing their responsibilities on an unrelated call. We're so thankful for their brave and heroic actions, and this case is a reminder that there are no routine calls or routine days for a police officer."
The prosecution team, led by Assistant Criminal District Attorney Ashlyn Scott and Dewey Mitchell, with support from District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs, tirelessly pursued justice throughout the proceedings.
