Deputy Sheriff Paul Martin
Officer: Mercer County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Sheriff Paul Martin
Date: 12/6/2023 Location: Hazen, ND FACTORS (1,2,3,4,5,8,11,14,19,21)
Perpetrator(s) Involved: Ian Cramer
Criminal Activity History/Involved: Yes, Cramer has a long criminal history spanning several states with a 2008 conviction in Montana for “negligent endangerment”; a 2010 DWI citation in Arizona; 2013 assault charge and “an active warrant in Houston for assault and evading arrest.” / Yes, Cramer stole a vehicle, crashed through a parking bay and was fleeing from police.
Mental Illness: Yes, Cramer “suffers from serious mental disorders which manifest in severe paranoia and hallucinations” and was taken to the hospital because of suicidal ideation.
Substance Abuse History/Involved: None reported, but likely. / Yes, “additional drug-related charges for possession of methamphetamine, cocaine and baggies of paraphernalia” are being filed related to the incident.
Race/Sex/Age: White/Male/42
What prompted the initial contact with the killer? At around 4:30 p.m. on December 6, 2023, Bismarck police officers responded to an emergency department after Ian Cramer stole his parents’ vehicle, rammed it through the doors of the ambulance bay and drove off during a mental health crisis. About an hour later officers with North Dakota Highway Patrol and the Mercer County Sheriff’s office located Cramer.
Actions taken by subject toward police: When the officers approached him, Cramer drove off and took them on a high-speed chase. Despite having two of the tires on his vehicle blown out by spike strips, Cramer continued to flee from the officers. Upon observing Deputy Sheriff Paul Martin’s patrol vehicle in the roadway, Cramer turned toward it and crashed into it, launching the vehicle into Deputy Martin who was standing behind it. His vehicle disabled; Cramer then fled on foot.
Reactions by the police: Beulah Police Chief Frank Senn who was parked near Deputy Martin as they deployed spike strips, ran after Cramer and took him into custody soon after the crash. Deputy Martin was transported to a medical center where he was declared dead.
How murdered? Deputy Martin was murdered when a fleeing suspect intentionally crashed into his patrol vehicle.
What could have been done differently for the officer to still be alive? Whether inside or out of his patrol vehicle, Deputy Martin did not stand a chance when the suicidal suspect decided to intentionally crash into his vehicle.
Would the officer have been justified in using deadly force before being murdered? Deputy Martin likely didn’t have a clear shot nor time to react once the vehicle turned toward him.
Outcome for the cop-killer: Cramer was captured at the scene, arrested and charged with manslaughter, fleeing a police officer, preventing arrest, reckless endangerment and driving under suspension.
Miscellaneous: Whether it was because Cramer is the son of a US Senator or America’ criminal and mental health systems are broken; Cramer was free despite the fact he should have been incarcerated or committed.
