Man Who Attacked South Bay Police Officers Gets Life In Prison

HAWTHORNE, CA — A man who assaulted two South Bay police officers during a domestic dispute call was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison this week, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney's office.

James Louis Boyd III, 42, was sentenced Monday for violently assaulting two Hawthorne police officers in April 2019. A jury convicted Boyd of two counts of assault on a peace officer with a semi-automatic firearm and one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle on Sept. 26, 2023.

“Justice has been served with the sentencing of James Louis Boyd III to life in prison for his heinous actions on two officers during a violent domestic disturbance call,” District Attorney George Gascón said. “Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our county safe. These officers were simply doing their job to protect and serve our community and were met with unimaginable violence. Our thoughts remain with them and their families as they continue to recover from this traumatic event.”

On April 7, 2019 Boyd, who is from Oceanside, assaulted two officers who responded to a hotel in Hawthorne due to a domestic dispute between Boyd and his girlfriend. During the incident, Boyd used a rifle to shoot at one of the patrol cars, shattering a window and injuring an officer.

"This life sentence sends a clear message that acts of violence against those who protect us will not be tolerated. I also want to thank the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department for its diligent and productive investigative work and partnership with our office while prosecuting this case," Gascon said.