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Saginaw County (WNEM) — The Saginaw Township Police officer who was shot during a traffic stop in January took to the witness stand on Thursday, March 7 as a judge declared the case will go to trial.
Joshua Rosebush, 29, is accused of shooting Officer Jeff Koenig during a routine traffic stop on Jan. 22. Koenig pulled Rosebush over because he said the vehicle was driving without headlights on.
On March 7, Koenig took to the stand as prosecutors began laying out their case against Rosebush.
Koenig said when he approached the vehicle that night, intending to tell the driver to turn the headlights on, he heard the person in the vehicle say “nighty night” and then fired a shot at Koenig’s face.
Koenig went on to say there was only a second or two between the suspect saying that, and when a shot was fired.
“I went down to the ground and my thought was to get to cover behind the vehicle. At that time I didn’t hear a second shot, but I felt the impact of another round hitting me in the right shoulder,” Koenig said.
Koenig also identified Rosebush as the suspect who was driving the vehicle and shot him.
Keonig said he still has a bullet fragment in his sinus canal that was “too dangerous” for doctors to remove. Koenig also had eight shattered teeth.
Prosecutors said Rosebush left the scene after shooting Koenig, sparking a manhunt that ended when he was shot by Shiawassee County Sheriff’s Det. Lt. Scott Shenk in Shiawassee County.
Prosecutors have cleared Shenk of any wrongdoing in his shooting and apprehension of Rosebush.
Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. David Rivard was also called to the stand, and a taped confession between Rosebush and Rivard was played in court.
“I shot him point blank in the face,” Rosebush is heard saying on the tape.
On the tape, which was about 25 minutes long, it sounded as if Rosebush was surprised Koenig was still alive. He also appeared to show remorse on the tape. When Rivard asked Rosebush if there was anything he would like to say to Koenig, Rosebush said, “I’m praying for him and his family.”
Rosebush is now facing 28 counts in connection with the incident. It’s unclear when his trial will begin.
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