A Carbon County man was sentenced on Thursday to a long state prison term for assaulting police officers.

Calling his actions "inexcuseable" and despicable" Judge Steven R. Serfass sentenced Jeremy Hirochek, 21, of 39 W. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning, to a total of 54 to 144 months on charges of aggravated and simple assault, terroristic threats, resisting arrest, institutional vandalism, persistent disorderly conduct and drug possession.Hirochek was sentenced in two cases involving Nesquehoning police which he previously had entered guilty pleas.The first incident occurred on Aug. 6, 2009, in the area of 17 W. High St. with Michael Tatuski the listed victim. During the arrest Hirochek fought with police.In the second incident occurred on Sept. 24, 2010, at the New Columbus Park and at the borough police station. During that incident police officers were assaulted by Hirochek with one sustaining serious injuries.Yesterday Assistant District Attorney William E. McDonald read a letter from Officer Ronald Peck, the officer seriously injured. Peck was present in the courtroom but asked McDonald to read the letter because of his emotional state over what happened.Peck told the court that he has not worked for seven months due to the injuries he sustained from Hirochek. Hirochek kicked Peck in the face and head. After subduing the defendant, who was continously yelling obscentities at the officers, threatening their lives and spiting on them, he was placed in an ambulance for transportation to a medical facility.While placing him in the ambulance Peck collapsed. Officer Timothy Wuttke, who was also assaulted, came to Peck's assistance before he fell out of the ambulance.Peck was taken to the hospital where he spent two days. He has not fully recoverved from the injuries.Peck told Serfass that he continues to have neck and back problems and loss of memory. He said the ordeal has had a harsh affect on his family, especially his wife.Peck told the court, "My life changed forever."Peck is a correctional officer at the county prison for the past 13 years and is a part-time officer in Nesquehoning for 10 years. He has not been able to work at each job since the incident.Police were dispatched to the park for a report of a man assaulting his girlfriend. Officers Peck and Brian White at first could not find anyone but later located Hirochek, who was identified as the person causing the problem at the park.When taken into custody officers found several pills and a small bag of vegetable matter later determined to be marijuana. He also had the odor of alcohol on him.While on the ground Hirochek began screaming and using profanities. He refused to get up and had to be carried to the police cruiser. While inside the police cruiser he began to strike his head off the cage and a side window. Peck entered the cruiser to try and stop him but was kicked on the left side of the face and head by Hirochek.At the police station Hirochek was placed in a holding cell where he began striking his head off the cell door and concrete wall. He again began to yell profanities and made threats to kill the officers. All during his actions he spit at the officers.Due to his actions Hirochek was bleeding and Officer Timothy Wuttke, who joined Peck and White earlier in arresting the defendant, entered the cell to try and control him and suffered a thumb injury. Hirochek then continued to yell and spit on the officers and kicking violently at Wuttke and White.While being placed in the ambulance to be taken for medical treatment for his injuries he assaulted one of the EMS personnel.At this point Peck collapsed and became unresponsive. Peck was taken to the Lehighton hospital and admitted. Wuttke and Whtie were treated and released at the hospital.Hirochek continued his unruly and combative conduct at the hospital.Officer Carl Breiner, who arrested Hirochek for the 2009 incident, told Serfass he has been involved with a lot of people in his years as a police officer but never had been spit in the face repeatedly as he was by Hirochek the night of the arrest.Defense Atty. Paul Levy told the court Hirochek has a serious drug and alcohol addiction. He said he was high on Xanax at the time of the assault on Peck and the other officers. He added, "When Jeremy is sober he is a good person."He added that Hirochek takes full responsibility for his actions. Levy also said his client had mental health issues.McDonald noted that Hirochek has had several "write ups" at the prison since his incarceration.Serfass told Hirochek his conduct was outrageous. He said police officers have an extremely tough job and put their lives on the line daily in performing their duties. He said he realized Hirochek had a serious drug and alcohol problem but added, "That is no excuse for what you did."Serfass said even as Hirochek continued his conduct the police had called for an ambulance and were trying to get him help despite the fact he had assautled them and continued to try and assault them.In addition to the prison term Serfass ordered Hirochek to make total restitution of $30,502.64 for medical expenses, loss wages and damages to borough property.He was also ordered to get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and follow any recommendations for treatment, supply a DNA sample, zero tolerance on D&A use and have no contact with any of his victims.He was given credit of 195 days spent in jail on the Sept. 24 incident and 56 days on the August 2009 case.