Driver of stolen truck who ran over Calgary police officer handed five-year sentence

She said the aggravating factors included Irwin’s high degree of culpability, the “very serious injuries inflicted on Const. Cole” and the offender’s previous record, which included two prior convictions for dangerous driving.

“In particular, I’ve also considered that the criminal offences were perpetrated on a police officer. As submitted by the Crown, an attack on a police officer is seen as an attack on all,” Ashcroft said.

“Police officers have a special role in our society, every day putting themselves at risk of danger so that we as citizens may have protection and safety. The actions of Mr. Irwin are an egregious affront to officers, to ordinary citizens and to our community.”

Cole was dispatched during the early morning hours of Aug. 18, 2018, to 215 Legacy Blvd. S.E. for a report of a suspicious vehicle.

Irwin had gone to the area in a stolen Ford F-150, backed into a stall at the condominium complex and fell asleep.

When Cole arrived, he parked his police vehicle at an angle to the truck and went to investigate.

He indicated to another arriving officer that the driver was asleep and didn’t have identification and as Cole walked back to his vehicle, Irwin took off, running over him.

Cole suffered multiple injuries, including a facial fracture, two vertebrae fractures and a broken ankle and ribs and was in the ICU for four days on a ventilator.

Along with the jail term, Irwin’s driver’s licence is suspended for seven years.

KMartin@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @KMartinCourts