Rocky L. King, 27, was sentenced Friday, Sept. 26 to 51 years in prison for the attempted capital murder of Fairfax County Police Officer Eugene Bork.

Officer Bork spent more than 45 minutes talking to King, after a single car accident about 3:30 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2007 at Coppermine Road and Sunrise Valley Drive in Herndon.

"I was trying in the most professional manner to get him out of the car," said Bork, who has earned awards from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, according to Marshall E. Thielen, president of the Fairfax Coalition of Police IUPA Local 5000.

The officer called for additional officers when King was evasive answering his questions.

"I knew something was up," said Bork.

When King eventually got out of the car, he pulled a handgun directly to the officer’s face.

During King’s trial in July, Fairfax County Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Casey M. Lingan showed the Fairfax Circuit Court jury the bullet from King’s gun.

The only reason the jury was looking at Bork in the courtroom and not an autopsy photo, Lingan said during the trial, is King didn’t property load his weapon.

The jury recommended that King serve 51 years: 40 years for the attempted capital murder of an officer, five years for use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, three years for possession of cocaine, and three years for possession of a firearm while in possession of cocaine.

Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Robert J. Smith imposed the jury’s recommended sentence without making any additional comments.

"It was the first time someone attempted to take my life," Bork testified Friday.

"Without a doubt, it’s affected me, it’s never going to be the same," he said. "You’re always going to wonder … whether or not that person can harm or kill you."



BORK WRESTLED the gun away from King, who was shot by officers seven times.

"Everything happened so quick," said Bork.

Officers immediately administered first aid to King, who was airlifted to Inova Fairfax Hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

King’s blood alcohol content was tested to be 0.23, nearly three times the legal limit to drive.

Defense Attorney Michael S. Davis called King’s behavior on Sept. 11, 2007 "aberrant."

"This doesn’t make any sense for him to have done this," Davis said. "This is a young man who had no prior history of criminal behavior."

Davis told Judge Smith that King, a father of four children including one born the day after King’s crime, was attempting to commit "suicide by cop," trying to force police to kill him.

Davis wasn’t permitted to present evidence he planned to during the trial, and said attorney Michael Lindner would represent King on his appeal.

Davis said that the incident would make the police officers more alert and cautious, helping them become better officers in the future. Police officers chose a profession that places their lives at risk, he said.

"Yes, it has an impact," he said. "Yes, it will screw your head up for a while. It’s something you have to deal with."

The fact that officers chose this profession can’t be used to diminish or excuse what happened, Lingan countered.

"These officers have chosen to put their lives at risk for the betterment of society. That’s what makes a hero," said Lingan.