A Valley man was sentenced to 68 years in prison for shooting a Phoenix Police officer in April 2022 during a drive-by attempt.

Nicholas Cowan, 38, was convicted of two counts of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, two counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, a drive-by shooting, and aggravated assault in the case.

“The citizens of Phoenix have a fundamental right to feel safe in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods. This senseless act of violence was not just an attack on an officer — it was an attack on that very sense of security,” said Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan in a statement to the court.

The incident started after Cowan’s girlfriend called 911 to report he was suicidal and threatening to get in a shootout if she called police. Two officers met the girlfriend at a gas station near Cave Creek and Beardsley roads, and told police she had been assaulted the day before, according to a press release from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

During the conversation, Cowan drove through the parking lot, fired 11 shots and struck one officer in the stomach. The second officer and girlfriend were unharmed in the shooting, according to the release.

Cowan was found three days later in Scottsdale and arrested after a standoff.

“Make no mistake, this defendant had every intention of killing these officers when he opened fire,” said County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “My office stands behind our members of law enforcement and will vigorously prosecute anyone who means to do them harm. This incident could have ended in the death of an officer, and I’m thankful everyone survived.”

Cowan is also awaiting sentencing for punching and choking a detention officer at the Fourth Avenue Jail in December 2023. A jury found him guilty of two different counts of aggravated assault, both felonies. Sentencing in that case is scheduled for March 21.