Jackson, Mich. (WKHM) — A recent Jackson County sentencing saw former Jackson Police Officer Jonathan Debczak (39 years old) receive three years of probation after he pled no contest to charges of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, domestic violence, felonious assault, and operating while impaired.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred in October of last year in which Debczak struck his girlfriend in the head with a gun, threatening her while driving down the road intoxicated. She called 911 during the assault, leading to the audio being recorded.

Jackson County Prosecutor Kelsey Guernsey says that while she believes a sentence including time behind bars was warranted, the decision ultimately rests with Judge Richard LaFlamme, and she respects the authority of the court. Guernsey said she does not believe the sentence reflects the severity of the conduct involved, and thanked the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for their response to and their investigation of the incident.

The victim advocated for Debczak to not serve prison time, saying that he has turned his life around for the better following the incident.