ELYRIA — A Lorain man was sentenced to four years in prison today for trying to run down two North Ridgeville police officers last year who were trying to arrest him on a domestic violence charge.

Phillips

Jeffrey Phillips, 31, apologized to North Ridgeville Police Chief Michael Freeman, who was a lieutenant at the time and was one of the officers who fired on Phillips, wounding him three times.

Phillips, who had been released from prison six months before the April 1 incident, said he was “panicked” and “scared.”

Common Pleas Judge James Burge told Phillips to “pay attention to his mental health.”

Had Phillips simply allowed himself to be arrested, the domestic violence incident involving his sister would have probably have “gotten taken care of” by now, Burge said.

After the incident, Phillips sued the city regarding his injuries from the gunfire, but he has since dropped the suit.

Before the sentencing, Freeman asked Phillips to change “for the sake of your family.”