Man sentenced for shooting North Las Vegas police officer

A 27-year-old man was sentenced to 10 to 30 years in prison for shooting a police officer with a shotgun in March 2012.

Christopher Burcham in July pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a firearm by an ex-felon. As part of a deal, prosecutors dropped three other charges.

Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez handed down the sentence Wednesday.

North Las Vegas police officers were called to the home in the 6300 block of Silver Edge Street, near Centennial Parkway and Clayton Street, about 10 p.m. March 26, 2012.

Family members told police that Burcham was drunk and had a shotgun, court documents show.

Police said that as officers entered the home, Burcham fired a shotgun at them. One officer, Dwight Kuykendall, 36, was struck. Kuykendall and another officer, Loran McAlister, 36, returned fire and pulled back.

Burcham soon surrendered and was arrested. Kuykendall was released from the hospital a few days later.

Burcham has two previous felony convictions including burglary in 2006 and attempted burglary in 2008.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@review journal.com or 702-380-1039.