By Police1 Staff
NEW YORK — Detective Ivan Marcano forgave the man that almost cost him his life, CBS2 reported.
“Everyone deserves a second chance,” Marcano said. “And I don’t have no anger towards the guy. I don’t hate the guy. I actually forgive the guy, and I wish I would have told him that.”
Marcano was off-duty and on a date in the Bronx on Oct. 14, 2012 when he saw two men robbing a 60-year-old man outside of his apartment, New York Daily News reported. Marcano ordered them to stop and showed them his badge, at which point one of the men, 18-year-old Prince James, shot him in the chest. James and Jason Leiva, then 22, drove away in a white Mustang attempting to escape.
Marcano staggered back to his date’s car and pursued the vehicle. Upon stopping the vehicle, with one hand over his bleeding chest and the other on the trigger, he fatally shot James, according to the report.
Marcano was hailed as a hero by President Obama for his courage.
Leiva pleaded guilty to charges of attempted robbery in the first degree. He was sentenced Wednesday, July 8, 2015 as Marcano looked on, CBS2 reported.
Leiva has never apologized to Marcano, but Marcano spoke to CBS2 with nothing but good intentions for the convict.
“He was spared that day, and I hope he realizes that,” Marcano said to CBS2. “And I hope he takes advantage of the second chance he got.”