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Man sentenced to 55 years for attempted murder of police officer in 2016

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) —  A 34-year-old Trafalgar man faces 55 years in prison for the attempted murder of an Indianapolis police officer in 2016, Marion County prosecutors said Wednesday. 

A jury also found Michael Swafford guilty of resisting law enforcement and being a habitual traffic offender after a three-day trial. 

The vehicle pursuit began about 4:15 a.m. March 8, 2016, an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer attempted a traffic stop on East English Avenue near South Gray Street on the city’s southeast side.

Christopher Maher, an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer, was slightly injured in the chase that involved him and Swafford shooting at each other.

“When the officer initiated the traffic stop, Swafford, who was driving a 2001 blue Cavalier, ignored activated police lights and turned onto Oakland Avenue and accelerated,” said a news release from prosecutors.

During the pursuit, Swafford’s vehicle reached speeds of approximately 80 mph.

About 16 hours after the chase, officers responded to a fire involving the Cavalier at an abandoned apartment complex in the 3800 block of North Emerson Avenue.

Swafford was located and arrested March 20, 2016.

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