Big Idea

• Jeffrey John Thomas, 59, of Cottonwood was found guilty of Attempted First Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement
• The Honorable John D. Napper sentenced Thomas to 20.5 years
• The event occurred on the evening of May 6, 2020, when Thomas was waving a "flagpole" and throwing rocks at vehicles, and then fired a shotgun
• County Attorney McGrane expressed his gratitude to the jury and the prosecutor
• Read more...

Jeffrey John Thomas was sentenced to 20.5 years in the Arizona State Prison

This afternoon, the Honorable John D. Napper of the Yavapai County Superior Court, sentenced Jeffrey John Thomas, 59, of Cottonwood, to 20.5 years in the Arizona State Prison, according to Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane.

On September 21, 2022, Yavapai County jury found Thomas found guilty of Attempted First Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer, two counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Discharge of a Firearm at a Structure, and Disorderly Conduct with a Weapon.

The events occurred on the evening of May 6, 2020, when Cottonwood police officers responded to a call regarding Thomas waving a “flagpole” and throwing rocks at vehicles. Officers tried to deescalate the situation without success. Thomas then fired a shotgun, which he had disguised as a flagpole with flag, at one of the officers. The officer was seriously wounded. A nearby neighbor also observed Thomas pointing a rifle from his bedroom and firing shots at the Cottonwood police officers. Upon the arrival of SWAT, Thomas surrendered.

County Attorney McGrane expressed his gratitude to the jury and thanked prosecutor Ethan Wolfinger for a job well done. “Our officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep us safe,” said McGrane. “The job of a police officer is unfortunately increasingly dangerous and, in this county, anyone who assaults a police officer should feel the full force of the law.”

Penny Cramer, Executive Assistant to:
Dennis M. McGrane, Yavapai County Attorney
Bill R. Hughes, Chief Deputy Yavapai County Attorney
255 E. Gurley Street
Prescott, AZ 86301