(07/07/06) BRIDGEPORT ? A former Bridgeport police officer accused of shooting up a housing complex while under the influence of alcohol will not go to prison.

John Biehn was convicted in May on one count of reckless endangerment for the 2004 incident. During sentencing Friday, Biehn was sentenced to three years probation. The judge said Biehn?s previous service in the U.S. military spared him from incarceration. Biehn served in Afghanistan and Cuba from October of 2002 to December of 2003.

Prosecutors say Biehn?s actions could have turned into a mass murder. Only one resident of the Marina Village housing complex addressed Biehn in court. That woman recounted the horrors of having a gun waved in her face during the incident. Although Biehn avoided prison, he may still face a civil suit.

Related information: Attempted murder trial underway for former Bridgeport officer