JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A man who tried to shoot a Jacksonville Sheriff's Officer during a traffic stop two years ago was sentenced Friday morning to life in prison.

Theophilus Bessellieu, who was found guilty of attempted first-degree murder last month, must serve a minimum of 20 years behind bars for shooting at Officer Matt Borgert during a traffic stop in February of 2007.

Borgert felt the bullet whizzing by his face, but was not injured. He was able to return fire into the SUV. Two teenage passengers in the vehicle were struck. Both shooting victims recovered from their injuries.

During the trial, prosecutors said that Bessellieu had a warrant out for his arrest at the time and had bragged to his friends that he wasn't going to jail without a fight.

"I think this case clearly demonstrates what our police officers are facing nowadays," Assistant State Attorney Mark Caliel said. "There was no conduct on the part of Officer Borgert towards Mr. Bessellieu. He was conducting a traffic stop on the driver, a typical traffic stop that you see on the roadside every single day, and it turned into a life-or-death situation."

As Judge David Gooding announcing the sentence, Bessellieu showed no emotion.

Given that her client was found guilty of trying to kill a police officer, Bessellieu's defense attorney was not surprised by the length of the sentence.

"I can understand the state's position on this and the judge's position," Michelle Taylor said. "Obviously, my client still disagrees with the jury verdict in this case and plans to file an appeal."