Former Cop Gets 3 Years in Prison

Richard Bolling was found guilty in January of aggravated DUI and reckless homicide in the death of a 13-year-old boy

A former Chicago police officer was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison for the death of a 13-year-old boy.

Richard Bolling will also serve two years on probation.

For the family of Trenton Booker, the officer's sentence wasn't nearly long enough.

"I don't think there's any number that's going to replace the fact that my son is gone," said Booker's mother, Barbara Norman.

Bolling was found guilty in January of aggravated DUI and reckless homicide in connection with Booker's death. The boy was struck by Bolling's vehicle as Booker rode his bicycle in May 2009 near 81st Street and Ashland Avenue.

During his sentencing hearing Tuesday, Bolling teared up and apologized to the boy's family.

"I will never pretend to know the pain and sorrow you've dealt with," he said. "I am sorry."

The former officer's sentencing was delayed two weeks ago after Bolling's attorneys presented witness after witness who described the officer as a good cop and a good man.

Bolling's father, former Chicago police commander Douglas Bolling, said his son will have to live with what happened for the rest of his life. Seven current and former cops and two retired judges asked Judge Coghlan for mercy in his sentencing of Bolling.

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