Modesto man sentenced in 2021 shooting that seriously injured officer
The man convicted of shooting and seriously injuring a Modesto officer was sentenced to 185 years to life in prison on Friday, the Stanislaus County District Attorney said.
Jesse Brooks, 45, of Modesto, was convicted on Feb. 5 on three counts of premeditated attempted murder of a police officer, three counts of assault with a firearm on a police officer, felon in possession of a gun and ammunition.
There were also several allegations, including one that he seriously injured an officer in a shooting.
On Aug. 14, 2021, police were serving a search warrant at a home on Orangeburg Road. The DA said Brooks was inside the home and told officers he would not go back to prison.
He then told officers he would rather get into a shootout with them, according to the DA.
Brooks barricaded himself in a room and had a gun when officers went into the home, the DA said. He fired 12 shots, and one officer was struck.
The DA said Officer Michael Rokaitis was seriously injured in the shooting. Brooks was also seriously injured after several officers shot at him.
Rokaitis was given a law enforcement Medal of Honor and gave a victim statement during the Friday sentencing hearing, in which he forgave Brooks.
