Man Gets Life Without Parole For Execution-Style Killing Of Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy

A California man who pleaded guilty to the execution-style killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy in 2016 has been sentenced to life in prison.

Trenton Lovell, 31, was sentenced to prison Monday without the possibility of parole for killing Sgt. Steve Owen. The 53-year-old man was shot five times while responding to a burglary call in Lancaster on Oct. 5, 2016.

Lovell, who had nearly a dozen previous arrests and two prior convictions for robbery, was out on parole at the time. Sgt. Owen confronted Lovell at gunpoint and alerted fellow officers.

But before the help could arrive, Lovell took out his firearm and shot the officer in the head. He fired four more times at his face and chest as he fell to the ground, wounded, prosecutors told a court, NY Daily News reported.

A second deputy shot and wounded Lovell, who attempted to steal the officer's car before fleeing on foot. Lovell then broke into a nearby home and held two teenagers hostage for several hours before he was arrested.

Owen's family members shared very powerful and emotional statements before the court Monday before the sentencing.

"Trenton, this is what I want you to know. You made a decision to shoot and murder my son. You robbed us. You robbed me of a son, you robbed the whole Owen family," Mildred Owen, the slain sergeant's mother, said in the court, ABC7 reported.

"I choose to forgive you, because that's what God has called me to do," Chad Owen, the sergeant's son said.

"My heart breaks for my children, that's who my heart breaks for. And you know what? My heart breaks for your mother, your sister and your niece. They are lovely ladies. Both families are losing a loved one," the officer's wife, Tania, said.

Lovell, who did not speak at the hearing, had pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in April. He had also admitted to a number of other charges including attempted murder, burglary, robbery and false imprisonment by violence.

After Lovell's guilty plea, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said Owen has "sacrificed his life to protect the community he served."

"This plea will not bring Sergeant Owen back, but will hopefully provide some small measure of peace to his family," Gascón said.