1/23/23

A Cottonwood man is going to prison for the attempted murder of a police officer. Yavapai Superior Court Judge John D. Napper sentenced 59-year-old Jeffrey John Thomas to 20.5 years in state prison.

On September 21st of last year, a Yavapai County jury found Thomas guilty of attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, discharge of a firearm at a structure, and disorderly conduct with a weapon.

The events occurred on the evening of May 6th, 2020, when Cottonwood police responded to a call regarding Thomas waving a “flagpole” and throwing rocks at vehicles. Officers tried to de-escalate the situation without success. Thomas then fired a shotgun, which he had disguised as a flagpole, at one of the officers, who was seriously wounded. Upon the arrival of a SWAT team, Thomas surrendered and was apprehended.