A man convicted of pushing an NYPD officer over a railing to his death has been sentenced to 28 1/2 years to life in prison.

Officer Alain Schaberger fell 9 feet down a cement stairwell in March 2011, landing on his head and breaking his neck, police said.

George Villanueva was sentenced Wednesday. He maintained his innocence at the hearing, saying that if he'd known the officer was going to fall he would have helped him.

Schaberger, 42, was among a group of officers who rushed to Boerum Hill to help a woman who said her boyfriend was threatening to kill her.

Police were trying to arrest Villanueva when he began to resist outside his St. Marks Place home, police said. That's when he pushed Schaberger.

The prison term also includes a charge for violating the order of protection that touched off the incident.

Get the latest from NBC 4 New York anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Get our apps here and sign up for email newsletters here. Get breaking news delivered right to your phone -- just text NYBREAKING to 639710. For more info, text HELP. To end, text STOP. Message and data rates may apply.