Politics & Government

Florissant Councilman Looks Ahead After Gunman's Sentencing

Ward 3 Councilman Joe Eagan wants to move forward in his professional and personal career following the conclusion of his case.

With all three men behind bars for a shooting in 2010, Florissant City Councilman and Maryland Heights officer Joe Eagan is breathing a little easier.

July 8, Evan Lockhart pleaded guilty in the shooting of Eagan in late 2010. He was the gunman in the incident, police said, and he was sentenced to 30 years in prison.  

Eagan said that he was happy with the result.
“We’re glad it’s behind us,” he said about he and his family. “I wanted to spare the family a trial, and I’m glad it’s over.”

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Eagan was shot in the face in the early morning of Dec. 18, 2010 while sitting in an unmarked police car on Jennings Station Road when three individuals tried to take the car.

Lockhart pleaded guilty to charges of assault of a police officer, attempted robbery and two counts of armed criminal action. Marquise Lockhart and Tevionne Taylor, the two others involved in the shooting, also pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer, attempted robbery and armed criminal action. Both were sentenced to 10 years. Marquise is Evan’s brother.

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The shooting shattered Eagan’s jaw and broke a number of teeth, which has lead to a number of surgeries to repair the damage.

“I will always have some pain in my lip and jaw area,” he said.

One thing he said he looked forward to is continuing his career in law enforcement and working on a bit of an image change for it.

“You never want this to define your career as the policeman who was shot,” Eagan said.



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