Sen Kevin Cramer, R-ND, speaks during a hearing, May 20, 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Kevin Dietsch/Pool via AP, File)
Sen. Kevin Cramer’s son kills deputy during vehicle pursuit
Senator Kevin Cramer’s son was involved in a fatal crash on Dec. 6 that resulted in the death of a Mercer County Deputy. According to a statement from the North Dakota High Patrol, Ian Cramer, 42, of Bismarck was taken into custody and is being held at the Mercer County Jail in Stanton.
Sen. Cramer put out a statement yesterday which said his wife and Ian went to a hospital due to a mental health issue. “Ian suffers from serious mental disorders which manifest in severe paranoia and hallucinations. Kris was with Ian when he insisted on going to see his brother, Ike. Ike died in 2018,” the statement read. “Kris took Ian to the Sanford Health emergency room in Bismarck. When she got out of our vehicle, Ian jumped into the driver’s seat and fled.”
The vehicle, a 2017 Black Chevy Tahoe, was able to be tracked electronically. The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle in Hazen, ND, 68.9 miles from Bismarck. When Cramer was approached, he fled in the vehicle and police pursued him.
During the pursuit, Cramer crashed into an unoccupied Mercer County Sherriff’s Office patrol vehicle which then hit Deputy Paul Martin as he was getting ready to deploy a tire deflation apparatus in an attempt to end the pursuit. Deputy Martin was killed.
Martin, 53, of Beulah, was an 18-year veteran of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office. He leaves behind a wife and 3 children.
The incident remains under investigation and charges are pending.
“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,” Cramer’s statement said. “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.”
