Seneca Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Attempted Murder of Police Officer

Zachary Hackett, 41, was sentenced on Thursday morning to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to the attempted murder of Corporal Highsmith during a standoff on October 11, 2023, which began with a barking dog complaint. Hackett fired a rifle shot from his apartment, narrowly missing the officer.

Judge McIntosh, considering mitigating factors like Hackett’s military service, opted for less than the maximum 30 years, despite the prosecution’s sentiment that a longer sentence would be warranted. Highsmith, a father of three, told the court he remains haunted by the incident.

Defense attorney John Abdalla requested a lighter sentence, supported by Hackett’s family, but the offense is ineligible for parole, meaning Hackett will serve the full term. Seneca Police Chief Casey Bowling spoke about the incident with our sister station 101.7 WGOG’s Dick Mangrum…