Sen. Cramer’s son charged with manslaughter

HAZEN – A high-speed pursuit ended in tragedy Wednesday when the pursued SUV crashed into a patrol vehicle, killing an 18-year veteran of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Paul Martin, 53, Beulah, died after the driver, the son of Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, crashed a stolen Chevy Tahoe into the unoccupied patrol vehicle that he was standing behind, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Ian Cramer, 42. Cramer was subsequently charged with manslaughter, fleeing a peace officer, preventing arrest and reckless endangerment, all felonies, and a misdemeanor charge of driving under suspension.

“I will take the first flight I can to be with our family as we grieve what has happened,” Sen. Cramer said in a statement Wednesday night. “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.”

According to a narrative of the crash released by the Highway Patrol, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office was following up on a report of a vehicle stolen in Bismarck, which was located in Hazen on Wednesday evening. Ian Cramer fled in the vehicle after being approached by law enforcement, leading to the pursuit.

The pursuit ended at 5:35 p.m. about five miles outside Hazen when Cramer veered and crashed head-on into a patrol vehicle, parked on an approach with its emergency lights on. Martin was outside the vehicle, preparing to deploy a tire deflation device when the crash occurred, pushing the vehicle into the deputy and killing him. Martin is survived by a wife and three children.

Cramer was taken into custody and was treated at a Hazen hospital for injuries sustained in the crash. Cramer was then taken to the McLean County Detention Center in Washburn. Cramer is scheduled to make his initial appearance in South Central District Court in Mercer County today.

The 2017 Black Chevy Tahoe was reported stolen when Cramer fled from his mother, Kris, outside the Sanford Health emergency room, according to a statement released by Sen. Cramer’s office. Cramer’s statement said his son “suffers from serious mental disorders which manifest in severe paranoia and hallucinations.”

“Kris was with Ian when he insisted on going to his brother Ike. Ike died in 2018. 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 statement read.

Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies across the state to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff, and he encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses until the day of Martin’s interment.

“Deputy Paul Martin devoted his life to public safety, risking his own safety every time he put on the uniform to protect the lives of his fellow citizens and communities,” Burgum said. “Words cannot express the depths of our gratitude for Deputy Martin’s ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Kathryn and I extend our prayers and deepest condolences to his family and friends, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office and the entire law enforcement community. We fly the flags at half-staff to honor his memory, his bravery and his incredible legacy of service.”

“The events in Mercer County last night are a stark reminder of the heroic actions of our law enforcement officials each and every day,” Sen. John Hoeven said in a statement. “This deputy made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our community, and Mikey and I send our sincerest condolences to the deputy’s loved ones and the entire Mercer County Sheriff’s Department.”

“We join all of North Dakota in mourning the death of Deputy Paul Martin,” Congressman Kelly Armstrong stated. “Law enforcement officers dedicate their lives to protecting their fellow citizens and communities, and we are heartbroken by this tragic loss.”