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Major Davis II gets life without parole

Posted at 8:12 AM, Apr 27, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-27 18:18:48-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- Major Davis II received a sentence of life without parole Thursday morning for killing an Indianapolis police officer.

On April  21, Davis pleaded guilty to killing Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officer Perry Renn in July 2014. Renn died following a shootout with Davis.

Prosecutors previously said they would seek the death penalty if convicted.

At Thursday's sentencing hearing, dozens of police officers showed up to support Renn.

"Pursuant to this agreement, Major Davis II will spend the rest of his life in prison with no possibility of parole," Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry said. "This resolution meets the wishes of Officer Renn’s widow, Lynn Renn, and provides finality on the criminal matter. By this plea, the family, friends, and witnesses impacted by this violent act will avoid what would likely have been years of courtroom proceedings for discovery, trial, and possible appeals."

FROM 2014 | Indianapolis police Officer Perry Renn killed in shootout with suspect | Man facing murder charge in Officer Perry Renn killing has extensive criminal history

Perry's wife released the following statement on behalf of the Renn family after the sentencing:

On July 5, 2014, Perry Renn and another officer responded to a report of shots fired near the intersection of 34th Street and Forest Manor Avenue. Perry Renn and the other officer encountered a man, later identified as Davis, before shots were fired. Perry Renn was hit by three rifle rounds fired by Davis.

"Our officers responded to a report of shots fired, and someone saw fit to welcome us with an assault weapon," then-IMPD Chief Rick Hite said in 2014. "Major Davis has major issues, obviously. Where he got off track, we'll probably find out at a court date, but he had no right to take a fine officer's life."

Davis was pronounced dead after the shootout, but he was revived and underwent surgery.