Man sentenced for shooting officer at Church of the Highlands: ‘Lord, please forgive me’
Jahmari Wright was 16 years old when he shot Det. John Finke, who was working security at Church of the Highlands in Woodlawn.
Ethan Parker 
A somber atmosphere filled a Jefferson County courtroom on Tuesday as a 22-year-old man was sentenced for a harrowing 2020 shooting that left a Birmingham police officer critically injured.
Jahmari Wright was only 16 years old when he opened fire on Det. John Finke, who was serving as security at the Church of the Highlands in Woodlawn.
The Incident
The violent encounter occurred on Sunday morning, Jan. 26, 2020, after Finke confronted two robbery suspects, Wright and 31-year-old Chris Burke. Finke, who was in uniform but without a protective vest, sustained multiple gunshot wounds during the confrontation.
In court, Finke detailed the intensity of the attack. He described how Wright immediately pulled a weapon upon being approached and, after Finke fell, circled a truck to continue firing, including a shot to the detective's back. The incident resulted in the loss of two organs and severe damage to Finke's pancreas.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Wright, who lives with an intellectual disability and was previously ruled incompetent to stand trial, entered a guilty plea in March for attempted murder, two robbery counts, and discharging a firearm into an unoccupied vehicle. Chris Burke, who provided the weapon, pleaded guilty in 2022 and has since been released from prison.
On Tuesday, Jefferson County Judge Stephen Wallace sentenced Wright to 20 years on the attempted murder and robbery charges, along with 10 years for the discharging of a firearm, with all sentences to be served concurrently.
A Plea for Forgiveness
Despite the severity of the injuries sustained, Det. Finke offered a powerful moment of grace during his victim impact statement. Recounting his journey toward baptism, Finke addressed Wright directly: "I just can’t hold the hate in my heart anymore. You acted like a man that day. You shot a police officer, and it takes every ounce of me, but I forgive you. But you still have to pay the consequences."
Wright, who had no family present at the sentencing, responded to the detective with visible emotion. "Detective Finke, I’m truly sorry for the pain I’ve put you through," Wright said. "Lord, please forgive me. That’s all I want is forgiveness."
Courtroom Perspectives
The defense argued that Wright, who spent his formative years incarcerated, struggled with intellectual limitations and should be considered for a specialized re-entry facility. Thomas Lewis, who ran an after-school program Wright attended for seven years, testified to Wright’s character as a "good kid" who lacked proper academic retention but consistently put forth effort.
However, Jefferson County Deputy District Attorney Shawn Allen pushed for a harsher penalty, arguing that the cold-blooded nature of the shooting required a significant consequence to uphold the safety of law enforcement. Judge Wallace acknowledged the difficulty of the case, emphasizing that while he recognized the unique circumstances surrounding Wright, he felt it necessary to ensure a public record of the conviction.
