Dec. 11—JAMESTOWN — A bench in honor of a fallen Mercer County Sheriff’s Office deputy was dedicated Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the James Valley Career and Technology Center in Jamestown.
Deputy Paul Martin, 53, was killed during a high-speed chase that began on December 6, 2023 in Hazen, North Dakota.
Ian Matthew Cramer, 43, pleaded guilty in September in Mercer County District Court to murder while fleeing law enforcement, fleeing a peace officer, evading arrest, reckless endangerment, driving under suspension and possession of meth, cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Cramer will be sentenced on December 30.
Cramer is also charged with theft of property, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment for allegedly taking the vehicle used in the chase from Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck, court documents show. He pleaded not guilty to these charges, and the trial is scheduled to begin on January 22.
About 50 people, including local law enforcement officers and first responders, attended the bank’s dedication ceremony in Martin’s honor on Wednesday.
Martin grew up near Jamestown and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1989.
James Nygaard, a retired North Dakota Highway police officer, said Martin’s father, Fred, also worked at the James Valley Career and Technology Center.
“It is…a perfect place for the students of Jamestown High School and the Jamestown community to know, as they drive past a beautiful sidewalk bench under the shade tree, that this gentleman truly gave his life for the public service,” he said. . “We thank the Jamestown school for allowing us to place that on the boulevard.”
Mercer County Sheriff Terry Ternes said it is “heartwarming” that Martin’s parents, Fred and Carol, are supported by the Stutsman County community.
“I want to thank the Stutsman County community and just looking at the faces here, knowing that you are supporting the rest of the family that is outside of my jurisdiction, is a big thing for me,” he said.
The bench will be permanently mounted near the sidewalk on the boulevard in front of the James Valley Career and Technology Center.
Gross Welding in Bismarck made the bench, which was donated by the All Vets Club in Jaemstown. Carol Martin designed the back of the sofa.
Paul Martin began his law enforcement career with the U.S. Army Military Police as a canine officer.
“Both Fred and Carol have been an integral part of the Vets Club for many years,” said Leroy Wegenast, president of the All Vets Club. “We would never refuse an offer to help them and commemorate the death of their son.”
Jamestown Public Schools and local law enforcement have a partnership to keep students safe, Superintendent Rob Lech said. He said it is a “tremendous” honor for Jamestown Public Schools to host the bench dedicated to Martin.
“With Paul being a Blue Jay and Fred working here, it’s just such a great place that we can host this bench as a memorial, not just for him, but for all the law enforcement officers and everyone who made that sacrifice,” he said. .
