(AP) - A man who admitted shooting a New York City police officer was sentenced to 16 years in prison as his police officer wife faces charges of trying to help him get away with the crime.

Prosecutors say Jose Rivera has pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder. In a deal with prosecutors, Rivera avoided a charge of first-degree attempted murder that carries 25 years to life in prison.

Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes said Rivera's wife, Officer Jacqueline Melendez-Rivera, has been indicted on charges of tampering with evidence and official misconduct in the February shooting. She has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial.

Rivera shot Officer Andrew Suarez in the back during a confrontation with him and three other plainclothes officers who were on an anti-crime watch in an unmarked car in Brooklyn.

After the shooting, Police said they found Melendez-Rivera behind the wheel of a white Acura that Rivera had been driving. Police said she was trying to dispose of the Acura to cover her husband's tracks.