Missouri Governor Expected to Commute Sentence of Former Kansas City Officer Convicted in Shooting
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The impending commutation of Eric DeValkenaere’s six-year prison sentence by Missouri’s top leaders has sparked controversy and reignited tensions over a high-profile case involving the fatal shooting of Cameron Lamb, a Black man, by the former Kansas City police officer.
Governor Mike Parson has publicly expressed disapproval of DeValkenaere’s incarceration, while Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, set to succeed Parson in January, has pledged to secure his release if Parson does not act first. Their support reinforces a narrative portraying DeValkenaere as a wronged officer targeted by what some conservative circles describe as a politically motivated prosecution.
DeValkenaere was convicted of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action for the December 2019 shooting of Lamb. Lamb, 26, was seated in his truck on his own property when DeValkenaere, responding to a radio call about reckless driving, entered the premises without a warrant and fatally shot him. Evidence presented at trial suggested a firearm was planted near Lamb’s truck to bolster claims that Lamb had threatened another officer.
Jackson County Judge J. Dale Youngs ruled the shooting unconstitutional, citing that DeValkenaere had no legal right to enter the property.
The Missouri Court of Appeals upheld the verdict, and the state Supreme Court declined to review the case. A federal judge also ruled that DeValkenaere had violated Lamb’s constitutional rights.
Despite these judicial findings, the case has polarized public opinion. Republican leaders, including Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, have continued to champion DeValkenaere, framing him as a hero wrongly convicted in a case tainted by political bias.
The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) has faced backlash following the incident and DeValkenaere’s conviction, with critics accusing the department of inadequate reforms and a passive-aggressive response.
Two civil lawsuits allege officers failed to properly respond to emergency calls, citing the DeValkenaere case as justification for avoiding situations that could involve warrantless entry.
One lawsuit involves the family of a woman murdered hours after police left her residence without entering, despite a 911 distress call. Another alleges police harassment following public criticism of their response to a reported intruder.
Lamb’s death and its aftermath have deepened mistrust of law enforcement in Kansas City, where tensions with the police department have long simmered. The appointment of Police Chief Stacey Graves in December 2022 offered a fragile truce, but the anticipated commutation threatens to unravel progress toward improved community relations.
While some fear protests may erupt following the announcement, others predict a prolonged period of quiet resentment. Regardless, critics argue that the decision to release DeValkenaere undermines efforts to build trust and accountability in policing.
Kansas City leaders have expressed concern over the broader implications of the case, warning that DeValkenaere’s release could hinder efforts toward constructive reforms and exacerbate divisions between the police and the community.
