Sen. Kevin Cramer’s Son Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison Over Death of North Dakota Sheriff’s Deputy

• Sen. Kevin Cramer’s son, Ian Cramer, 43, has been sentenced to 28 years in prison after being involved in a car accident on Dec. 6, 2023 that killed Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin, 53
• The politician previously said in a statement that his son “suffers from serious mental disorders which manifest in severe paranoia and hallucinations”
• “I had no intention to do any of this. It was an accident, and I just hope that someday they can forgive me,” Ian Cramer told Martin’s family at the Dec. 30 court hearing, per the Associated Press

The son of Sen. Kevin Cramer has been sentenced to 28 years in prison following a car accident that claimed the life of a North Dakota sheriff’s deputy.

On Dec. 6, 2023, Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin, 53, was killed after Ian Cramer, of Bismarck “stole his mother’s car, crashed through the doors of Sanford Hospital, fled from police, and ultimately struck a patrol car in Mercer County leading to the deputy’s death,” Bismarck Police Department previously said.

On Monday, Dec. 30, Ian, 43, was sentenced in court in Stanton, N.D. after pleading guilty to all the charges against him — including preventing arrest, reckless endangerment and homicide while fleeing a peace officer — in September, per the Associated Press.

North Dakota District Court Judge, Bobbi Weiler, sentenced Ian to 38 years with 10 years suspended, as well as “three years of probation and credit for over a year served in jail,” the news agency stated.

Sen. Kevin Cramer previously said in a Dec. 6, 2023 statement that his son “suffers from serious mental disorders which manifest in severe paranoia and hallucinations.”

Mercer County State’s Attorney, Todd Schwarz, said that Ian had admitted to using methamphetamine and bath salts on the day of the accident, per the AP.

During Monday’s sentencing, Judge Weiler said, “The (state) Department of Corrections has their own policy on how much time you’re going to serve,” according to the outlet.

“These are not mandatory minimums, which means that you’re probably going to serve a small portion of that 28 years and be out on parole, so that’ll … give you an opportunity to have a second chance that Deputy Martin does not have, nor does his family have,” Weiler added.

Ian was also offered the opportunity to speak in court, and chose to address the Martin family.

“I had no intention to do any of this. It was an accident, and I just hope that someday they can forgive me, and I think the best thing for me is to go to a hospital and just get more help,” Ian — who was initially facing a manslaughter charge before it was later upgraded to a homicide offense — told Martin’s family, according to the news agency.

On the day of Martin’s death, Ian had been taken to Sanford Emergency Room by his mother after “exhibiting mental health issues,” the Bismarck police previously said.

Once they were parked in the ambulance bay at the hospital, “Ian got into the driver’s seat and allegedly rammed the doors of the bay and fled the scene,” police said. Officers had been dispatched to the location around 4:30 p.m. local time regarding damage to an overhead door of the ambulance bay.

Despite Ian already fleeing the scene, officers were able to track a cell phone to find his location. 

A police chase ensued, and despite having two flat tires at the time, Ian reached speeds of over 100 mph before crashing into Martin’s squad car, according to court documents previously obtained by the AP.

The charging documents stated that Ian ended up pushing Martin’s vehicle “directly into Martin’s person and launching him for about 100 feet,” the news agency reported, stating that the victim had “laid a tire deflation device on the road” and had been taking cover behind his car at the time of his death.

On the evening of the accident, Sen. Kevin Cramer said in his statement, “I will take the first flight I can to be with our family as we grieve what has happened. We grieve especially for the family of the hero who tried to help Ian, and we pray for our gracious God to show up as He always does in tragedy. We ask the public for prayers for the lost officer’s family and colleagues who serve us every day and are grateful for all they do for us.”

“We also ask God for healing for Ian. We love him and hurt deeply,” the politician added at the time.

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The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office previously said of Martin in a Facebook post, “Our entire community has suffered the tragic loss of Deputy Paul Martin. He is our beloved brother in law enforcement, a husband, father, and grandpa. Our wound is raw, and our hearts are broken.”

“We will put one foot in front of the other and move forward slowly, honoring all the wishes humanly possible of his wife and family,” the message included.

A spokesperson for Judge Weiler and Mercer County State’s Attorney Schwarz didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE.