MARTINSVILLE, Va. – A Martinsville man is headed to prison for 65 years for the attempted murder of a police officer. Thomas Braxton, III, 38, will have to serve at least 30 years of that term following his conviction on an attempted capital murder charge in the January 1, 2020 shooting. Braxton was also found guilty of possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

Martinsville Police Officer Michael Panos was shot in the left arm after pursuing the driver of a truck. The chase began about 9:30 p.m. on New Year’s Day. That’s when Panos attempted to stop the driver of a pickup for a traffic violation.

Braxton refused to pull over and a pursuit began. It ended when he jumped from the moving pickup on Theater Street in Henry County. The truck crashed into an embankment and Braxton fled on foot. He was located behind the Glen Ridge Apartments, where police say he pulled a gun and began firing.

Officer Panos was struck in the left arm. Other officers returned fire, striking Braxton. Both suffered non-life threatening wounds and Braxton was jailed following his release from the hospital.