In a controversial move, a white former police officer from Kansas City convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the deadly shooting of a Black man was released from prison on Friday. Missouri Governor Mike Parson, a Republican, commuted Eric DeValkenaere’s sentence, allowing him to go on parole after public scrutiny and heated discussions surrounding the case.
DeValkenaere had been serving a six-year prison sentence after being found guilty in 2021 of fatally shooting 26-year-old Cameron Lamb as Lamb was backing into his garage. Lamb’s case became a focal point for racial justice protests in Kansas City, especially in the wake of George Floyd’s death in 2020. He was even remembered by his family during a meeting with then-President Donald Trump.
While Parson did not issue a pardon for DeValkenaere, he modified the punishment to allow him parole—this comes with standard restrictions, including prohibitions on possessing firearms and traveling out of state without permission. Parson had previously granted similar clemency to Patty Prewitt, who spent four decades imprisoned for her husband’s murder.
The Missouri Department of Corrections confirmed both individuals were freed Friday afternoon before the governor’s public announcement. Out of safety concerns, DeValkenaere had been incarcerated in an out-of-state facility, as stated by corrections spokesperson Karen Pojmann.
In the aftermath of the decision, Jason Johnson, president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, which advocates for DeValkenaere, expressed their commitment to fully exonerate him. He emphasized DeValkenaere’s commendable career in service and declared that while they firmly believe he is innocent, even skeptics should recognize that his continued imprisonment does not serve justice.
This clemency decision arrives just before Parson’s term as governor concludes, marking a significant period of clemency actions during his time in office. Since June 2018, Parson has granted pardons or sentence commutations to over 800 individuals, addressing a backlog of more than 3,500 clemency requests he inherited. This total represents the highest number of clemency orders from any Missouri governor in decades, primarily benefiting those convicted of less serious offenses.
However, Gwendolyn Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, criticized Parson’s choice, arguing that it will damage his legacy and aggravate racial tensions. She characterized the decision as a blatant affirmation of systemic racism and a betrayal of justice, directly pointing to the implications of releasing an officer convicted of unlawfully killing a Black man.
During the trial, DeValkenaere claimed he discharged his weapon on December 3, 2019, after Lamb allegedly threatened another detective, arguing that he acted to protect his partner. In contrast, prosecutors maintained that the police were improperly on the property and manipulated the scene to give the impression that Lamb was armed at the time of his death.
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker reiterated that DeValkenaere had been convicted for killing an unarmed man, and she emphasized the leniency he received from the governor, contrasting it with the absence of mercy shown to the victim’s family. Following the announcement, messages left for the Lamb family’s legal representatives went unanswered.
Evidence presented during the jury-free trial—conducted at DeValkenaere’s request—showed that he unlawfully entered Lamb’s property by kicking down a barrier. The presiding judge, Dale Youngs, noted that officers lacked both a warrant for arrest and permission to enter the premises. He expressed concern regarding the circumstances of the case but did not address allegations of evidence being tampered with.
After losing his appeal in October 2023, DeValkenaere left the police force but remained free on bond until the outcome. His wife, Sarah DeValkenaere, consistently used social media to rally support for his release, sharing heartfelt messages about her husband’s character and service to the community.
While Parson did not provide detailed reasoning for his clemency decisions, he did mention in an earlier radio interview that he was regularly confronted regarding the issue and expressed discontent with DeValkenaere’s situation.
Patty Prewitt, at the age of 75, had sought clemency over the years after being sentenced to life in prison for killing her husband. She was convicted in 1984 under various circumstances, including claims that a stranger had invaded their home. Prewitt’s supporters argue that evidence now indicates she was wrongfully convicted.