A Springfield Police Officer is on his way to prison after being found guilty of stealing almost $2,000 dollars during a traffic stop.

"The court hereby orders that you be confined at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at cedar junction for not less than three years and not more than 4 years."

As Springfield Police Officer Steven Buzzell was sentenced family, friend and his partner Leonardo Matos sat behind him. Buzzell was found guilty of stealing money from three tobacco farm workers during a 2008 traffic stop. Matos was found not guilty of the same crime.

The Judge also ordered Buzzell to pay nearly $2,000 in restitution to the victims and referred to Buzzell as a public predator, fueling public cynicism towards all police officers

Police Commissioner William Fitchet called Buzzell's actions a disgrace to the department.

Commissioner Fitchet says, "Whenever a Police Officer compromises the trust that has been places with him it's a serious violation and the disgraceful conduct is an exception of the daily heroic actions of the Springfield police officers."

Assistant District Attorney Stephen Spelman said the sentence was fair considering he Buzzell betrayed the oath he took in 1998 when he became a police officer.

Spelman says, "I Steven Buzzell do solemnly swear that I will bare true faith and allegiance to the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and will support to constitution and laws thereof."

Commissioner Fitchet says he believes this incident was isolated despite the recent blemishes on the department's reputation.

Fitchet says, "You have to build trust one person, one incident at a time and it certainly is damaging and it's hurtful to everyone there are no winners in this case including the defendant."

Commissioner Fitchet says he has contacted the City Law Department to start the administrative procedure for termination of Buzzell as a police officer.