Details emerge following death of ND sheriff’s deputy; Ian Cramer faces multiple felony charges including manslaughter

Bismarck, N.D. (AP) – The 42-year-old son of U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota made his first court appearance Friday on manslaughter and other charges after he allegedly fled from authorities in a stolen family vehicle and crashed into a squad car, killing a North Dakota sheriff’s deputy who was reportedly taking cover behind the vehicle.

Ian Cramer, of Bismarck, was charged Thursday with multiple felony counts, including manslaughter, fleeing a police officer and reckless endangerment in connection with Wednesday’s pursuit and crash that killed 53-year-old Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin.

Cramer did not enter a plea on Friday, which will happen at a later hearing. 

He appeared in court remotely via videoconference from county jail and District Judge Bobbi Weiler set a $500,000 cash bond, and also ordered a mental health evaluation.

Cramer appeared in court without an attorney and one will be appointed for him. 

He did say during the proceedings that he had been receiving mental health treatment from Sanford Health before his arrest, and was working at a Bismarck pizza restaurant.

Mercer County State’s Attorney Todd Schwarz said he plans to file additional drug-related charges against Cramer for possession of methamphetamine, cocaine and baggies of paraphernalia.

The North Dakota State Patrol said, on Dec. 6, one of the Sen. Cramer’s daughters tracked Ian and the SUV he stole from his mother through a cellphone, and about an hour later deputies in Mercer County spotted Cramer in Hazen, about 70 miles northwest of Bismarck.

Cramer reportedly hit speeds of 100 mph during the pursuit and kept going even after an officer from nearby city of Beulah used a spiked device to flatten two of the Chevrolet Tahoe’s tires.

According to the criminal complaint, about 5 miles outside of Hazen, Beulah Chief of Police Frank Senn and Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin deployed more tire deflation devices and took cover behind their cars. Cramer swerved and then crashed head-on into Martin’s squad car, launching him about 100 feet from where he was seeking cover.

Martin was an 18-year veteran of the sheriff’s office and a married father of three. He was pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby hospital.

Cramer was evaluated at a hospital then jailed.

Martin’s funeral will be held on Wednesday at the high school in Beulah. Gov. Doug Burgum has directed government agencies to fly flags at half-staff through Wednesday in Martin’s honor, and he encouraged residents to do the same.

Story by AP