TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — A 20-year-old New Jersey man convicted of killing a Lakewood police officer has been sentenced to life in prison.

Jahmell Crockam appeared before a judge in Ocean County on Thursday.

Authorities say because Crockam was convicted of murdering Patrolman Christopher Matlosz the law requires a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

A jury convicted Crockam of walking up to the officer’s police cruiser in January 2011 and shooting him three times at point-blank range.

A witness in his trial testified Crockam, who had outstanding arrest warrants, vowed he would kill a police officer before he would allow himself to be arrested.

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