A Boston police officer said he could feel the heat and hear the whistle of a bullet as it passed his head during a 2013 foot chase. And he forgives the shooter, who was sentenced on Tuesday. The shot was fired at the officer as he chased a suspect on foot through the Old Harbor housing development in South Boston, according to the Suffolk County DA’s Office.

In Suffolk Superior Court on Friday, Paul Eric Louis-Jeune, 23, of Braintree, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, armed assault with intent to murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm. Judge Carol Ball sentenced him six to eight years in prison and two years of probation.


But what’s most notable about this case is the officer’s victim impact statement, in which he asked that Louis-Jeune face severe punishment, but also extended an offer of forgiveness:

“I am willing to set aside all this anger as best I can and I’m willing to personally forgive Mr. Louis-Jeune even if he is not contrite. That being said, I still believe Mr. Louis-Jeune should be severely punished: not for his crime against [me] but for his actions against society …. He wanted to kill the very representation of our laws, our society, and our city.’’

His statement sparked applause in the courtroom.

On July 16, 2013, two Boston police officers were on a routine patrol in the area when they got a tip about a drug deal that had gone down nearby. From the cruiser, the officers saw a man, later identified as Louis-Jeune, who matched the description of the alleged dealer. He ran after making eye contact with them; one officer chased him on foot while another followed in the cruiser.

According to the DA’s office, as Loius-Jeune rounded a corner, he suddenly pulled out a .38 caliber revolver and fired once at the officer on foot from about 10 feet away. He was getting ready to fire another bullet when the second officer shot him, according to the DA. Louis-Jeune was treated at Boston Medical Center for a chest wound.