Man sentenced to 25 years in prison for drunk driving crash that killed off-duty Milwaukee police officer

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Dante James, a man convicted of killing an off-duty Milwaukee police officer in a drunk driving crash, was sentenced to 25 years in prison. 

The crash happened in June 2019. Officials say James ran a red light near 60th and Capitol and crashed into a car driven by Officer Kou Her, who was driving home after finishing his shift at MPD District 4.

Her was 27 years old.

Investigators say James had been drinking all day and was fired from his job for being drunk at work hours before the crash.

"Mr. Her lost his life because I was drinking and driving, I would like to take this time to say that I am sorry to his family and friends, I know that losing someone you love is very painful, I have prayed and wished that this had not happened. I apologize to Mr. Her and his loved ones, I know my hurt is nowhere near their hurt," James said at the sentencing. 

Judge Jonathan Watts says four prior OWI convictions were taken into account for the sentencing. He said clearly prior time in jail and probation isn't enough to keep James from recklessly endangering life here in Milwaukee. 

Her's brother, Kong Her, said ahead of the conviction that they hoped Judge Watts would make the right decision. 

He had a message for James, even though he didn't want his face on camera. 

"This goes to me, and all my family, that as hard as this has been for us, for the loss that we had that we can never bring back, me, my dad, my mom and everyone else, we forgive you Dante," said Kong Her.