Driver faces 12 years in prison for killing Hagersville cop working in Calgary

A young man convicted in the hit-and-run death of a Hagersville man working as a police officer in Calgary has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Sgt. Andrew Harnett, 37, died after he was dragged by an SUV and fell into the path of an oncoming car on New Year’s Eve in 2020.

The driver of the SUV was 17 when he was arrested and was charged as a youth with first-degree murder.

A judge convicted him of manslaughter and ordered that he receive an adult sentence.

READ MORE: Calgary officer struck and killed by driver fleeing traffic stop

Court of King’s Bench Justice Anna Loparco says the driver has eight years left to serve as he has already spent four years in custody.

The Crown had requested a sentence of 11 to 13 years, while the defence argued for 7 1/2 years minus credit for time already served.

During the trial, the driver testified that he was scared when police approached the SUV during a traffic stop, and he saw Harnett put a hand on his gun.

READ MORE: Man charged in death of Sgt. Harnett denied bail, second application under review

Court heard the SUV sped away with Harnett gripping the wheel, attempting to get the driver to stop.

Amir Abdulrahman, a passenger in the SUV, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2021 and was sentenced to five years in prison.

Earlier this year, he was granted day parole.

– With files from The Canadian Press