Eric DeValkenaere's sentence commuted in Cameron Lamb killing

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Governor Mike Parson commuted former Kansas City police detective Eric DeValkenaere's prison sentence on Friday.

FOX4 learned of the decision first through official sources, and the governor's office issued a news release shortly after.

DeValkenaere was convicted in 2021 of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the 2019 shooting of Cameron Lamb.

DeValkenaere was sentenced to six years in prison after multiple appeals, and has been serving time since October of 2023.

The former Kansas City detective shot and killed Lamb on December 3, 2019 as he backed his truck into his garage. Police had gone to his home after reports that he had been speeding after another vehicle. Prosecutors say Lamb wasn't armed when he was shot.

In addition to the criminal conviction, a federal judge ruled in a civil case that DeValkenaere violated Lamb's civil rights when he entered his backyard without a warrant.

Whether DeValkeneaere would serve his full sentence has been a controversial topic leading up to Friday's announcement. Shortly after his final appeal was denied, DeValkenaere's family submitted a clemency packet to Gov. Parson.

Even as Parson debated what he would do, governor-elect Mike Kehoe said he would free the former Kansas City detective if Parson didn't do it before he assumed office.

The Lamb family and outgoing Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker have pleaded that DeValkenaere serve his full sentence. FOX4 spoke with Lamb's family on Friday evening.

"It’s crazy man. This ain’t the first time they've shown they don’t care about nobody but they personal selves," Lamb's father Aquil Bey told Malik Jackson.

"They can do anything all the wrong in the world they want to do to you, and just because they are in a position to excuse it with their own moralistic values is crazy.”

DeValkenaere issued a statement through the Law Enforcement Legal Defense account on Twitter:

“I am so grateful to the thousands of people who stood with me, prayed for me, wrote and called Gov. Parson, and advocated tirelessly for this commutation. Thanks to all of you, I’m home with my family for Christmas.”

The Fraternal Order of Police told FOX4 it's not providing any statement. Missouri State Rep. Tony Luetkemeyer quote-tweeted our article on X with the following:

"The long-overdue commutation of Eric DeValkenaere’s sentence corrects part of this miscarriage of justice. No police officer should be in prison for a split-second decision to protect his partner. This was the work of a woke prosecutor. I’m glad Eric is reunited with his family."

FOX4 received this statement from Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas:

"The Mayor continues to pray for all those touched by the tragic events surrounding the death of Cameron Lamb.

As Mayor and Kansas City's only selection as commissioner on the state-appointed five member Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners, Mayor Lucas remains committed to strengthening the trust between law enforcement and our community.

We refer all other questions to the offices of Governor Mike Parson and Governor-elect Mike Kehoe."

DeValkenaere's commutation isn't a pardon where the convictions are forgiven, but does reduce the amount of time he has to serve.

It's currently unknown if DeValkenaere has been released from custody, but FOX4 will follow developments with this breaking news story as we continue to confirm details on Friday night.

Refresh this page for the latest updates.