ST. LOUIS, MO (November 1, 2024) — 22^nd Circuit Judge Timothy J. Boyer sentenced Cortez Darrell Sipes, 38, to 20 years in prison for shooting two police officers after a car chase that ended in a gun battle in the City’s Soulard neighborhood on February 2, 2023. Sipes pleaded guilty to multiple charges on September 25, 2024, including first-degree assault, resisting arrest, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Officers Sean Miskovic, 25, and Lucas Roethlisberger, 39, were on patrol late on the evening of Feb. 2 when they saw Sipes driving a silver pick-up truck that matched the description of a vehicle wanted for a robbery. When they tried to stop the truck, Sipes took off at a high rate of speed, resulting in a chase that ended when he crashed into Soulard farmers’ market. As the officers pulled up behind him, Sipes got out of his truck and began shooting, striking Officer Miskovic as he was firing his taser.

Officer Roethlisberger was shot in the torso but managed to chase Sipes on foot, shoot him in the ankle, and hold him down until another officer arrived to place him under arrest. Both officers recovered from their injuries and returned to active duty.

The officers and their families read victim impact statements at Sipes’ sentencing Friday. Officer Miskovic and his wife both said they forgave Sipes. Officer Miskovic presented Sipes with a personally inscribed Bible.

Officer Roethlisberger and his wife said they were still angry at Sipes. Their children have been scarred by the shooting and live in constant fear for their father’s safety, his wife said. It was the second time he was shot in the line of duty.

Sipes apologized to both officers and their families.

The case was prosecuted by Violent Crime Unit Supervisor Tanja Engelhardt and Assistant Circuit Attorney Andrew Russek.



Sipes’ case number in Missouri Case.net is 2322-CR00197-01.

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