Officers unsuccessfully attempted to catch the truck – and had to involve the department’s helicopter to track it. The chopper tracked the car to the backyard of a home – and my husband and his partner were the first to arrive at the scene. Eric approached the passenger side of the pick-up and his partner approached the driver’s side, both shouting commands at the driver to STOP and SHOW HIS HANDS. My husband saw the suspect reach toward his waistband and grab a handgun, pointing it directly at his partner. Fearing the suspect would shoot, Eric discharged his firearm four times into the windshield of the pick-up as it continued driving into the garage. When officers entered the garage, they found the suspect deceased with his arm hanging out of the window and his .45 semi-automatic pistol on the ground. (A weapon they would later learn was stolen.) No doubt Eric saved his partner’s life that afternoon – and probably his own. But instead of receiving an award for his heroic actions, Eric was charged with Involuntary Manslaughter and Armed Criminal Action by a District Attorney desperately trying to hold onto her elected seat on the bench. Now I hope you can see why I’m asking you to sign the Emergency Pardon Petition to Governor Mike Parson. When Jason Johnson at the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund (LELDF) told me they would continue to fight for Eric’s freedom, I was able to take my first deep breath in days. If you’ve heard of LELDF, then you already know they’re a non-profit organization that supports and defends wrongly accused officers like my husband. LELDF has helped dozens of men and women in blue clear their names and win back their freedom. It’s such a comfort knowing there are pro-police patriots like Jason at the team and LELDF… …but without your urgent action today, Eric will be locked in prison for the next 6 years… 6 Thanksgivings, 6 Christmas, and 6 New Years… 6 birthdays for each child… 6 wedding anniversaries… I still can’t wrap my mind around the full magnitude of what this miscarriage of justice means for my family. I just know every time I think about the future without the man I love – the father of my children – my heart cracks more. That’s why I’m urgently asking you to sign the Emergency Pardon Petition to Missouri Governor Mike Parson today. Eric should have been commended for his service and life-saving actions that day, not convicted and sentenced to years in prison! The reality is we can’t get back the last few weeks Eric has been sitting in prison or the nearly four years this nightmare has hanging over our heads. But with your help today, we can bring my husband home in time to enjoy the holidays with his three children. So please, won’t you take just 30 seconds of your time right now to sign the Emergency Pardon Petition to Governor Mike Parson? After signing the petition, please make a generous donation to LELDF to fund this petition and the legal defenses of 12 officers (including Eric) they currently support. Remember, LELDF is able to support wrongly accused and convicted officers like Eric because of the generosity of patriots like you. Friend, to say it’s been a difficult few years for our family would be an understatement. But with a pardon the final option to secure Eric’s freedom and restore his good name, I’m begging you to sign the Emergency Pardon Petition today. Thank you in advance for your continued prayers and support. Gratefully, Sarah DeValkenaere P.S. Without your immediate action, my husband Eric DeValkenaere – a decorated Kansas City Police Detective – will spend Christmas, New Years and every holiday for the next six years behind bars. Our three beautiful children won’t have their biggest cheerleader at their graduations, maybe even their weddings. My best friend is locked away – and the only way to get him out is to get Missouri Governor Mike Parson to pardon him. Will you please take 30 seconds right now to sign the Emergency Pardon Petition and help me fight for Eric’s freedom? I hope you’ll also make a generous, tax-deductible donation to LELDF. No matter what, please pray for Eric and my heartbroken family. | 