Officer accepts apology after hit-and-run injury

JONESBORO, Ga. — A police officer recovering from extensive injuries after being run over says he accepts the apology of one of the men involved.

Jabari Jackson, 33, pleaded guilty to burglary and obstruction of an officer charges in a Clayton County courtroom Monday.

The judge accepted a plea agreement where Jackson received five years' probation on the burglary charge and 12 months in the county jail on the obstruction charge.

Right after Jackson pleaded guilty the judge asked if he had anything to say. He did.

"I wish to apologize to the officer and his family. I wish to apologize for wasting the court's time. Wish to apologize to my family and may God be with all of us," Jackson said.

Prosecutors said Jackson was with Thomas Paige at the old K-Mart near Forest Park December 12, 2012.

Officers said the pair was burglarizing the building when police arrived. Jackson took off running and police said Paige hit Officer Mike Hooks with a truck as he tried to get away.

Jackson's attorney wanted to make one thing clear.

"My client took no part in the criminal activity of the driver of that vehicle that seriously injured the officer," Patterson said. "He had no idea that the guy was going there to steal anything. He thought he was just helping someone remove some property."

Channel 2s Tom Jones went to Hooks' home where he is recovering and told him about the apology.

"I appreciate it. He didn't owe me an apology. I don't wish anything bad on the man," Hooks said.

Hooks just had surgery on one of his knees he injured when he was hit. The surgery came on his birthday.

"I got one surgery down. I have surgery on my other knee," Hooks said.

He may have to have surgery on his back. He says his recovery is going slow and he misses doing what he loves: police work. Most of his day is spent in bed.

"It's not any fun that's for sure. My whole life has just stopped," Hooks told Jones.

He said he wants justice, and he wants something else.

"That nothing like this happens to anybody else," Hook's said.

Jackson's attorney told the judge she won't ever see his client again because he has learned a valuable lesson.

As Jackson was taken into custody, he blew a kiss at his mother.

WSBTV