I’m sorry this email is not what I expected to be sending this Christmas
season, but I need to ask you to help me save my husband.
Dear Friend,
I'm sorry this email is not what I expected to be sending this Christmas
season, but I need to ask you to help me save my husband.
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That's a picture of me and my husband, Eric.
Eric is a Detective with the Kansas City Police Department.
I wanted to send a picture of us with our three beautiful children from a past
Christmas -- but in this current political climate, I don't feel safe sharing
photos of our kids on the Internet.
When I tell you what happened, I think you'll understand. And I pray that
you'll find it in your heart to help me save my husbandbefore it's too late.
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You see, it all started five years ago in early December -- a few weeks before
Christmas.
There was a report of two vehicles speeding through the city streets -- one
was clearly chasing the other.
The suspect was a 26-year-old man chasing his ex-girlfriend in a stolen truck
-- weaving across lanes and running through stoplights.
My husband and his partner responded to the call and when they caught up with
the suspect, they got out of their police vehicles and approached the stolen
truck while repeatedly ordering the suspect to STOP and SHOW HIS HANDS.
That's when it happened.
As Eric's partner approached the driver's side, the suspect reached into his
waistband and pulled out a handgun -- pointing it directly at the detective.
My husband's police training kicked in.
He fired four rounds in the direction of the suspect through the truck's front
windshield.
When my husband and his partner approached the car, they found the suspect
deceased -- his arm hanging out the open window with a .45 semi-automatic
pistol on the ground below.
That night, when Eric returned home, I hugged him and burst into tears. I was
so thankful he was safe.
But several months later, the local prosecutor charged Eric with MANSLAUGHTER
and Armed Criminal Action.
I was in shock.
Then late last year, my husband finally went to trial. The judge ruled against
him -- and Eric was sentenced to 6 years in prison.
Now you understand why I'm asking for your help today.
My husband is an honest man of integrity who followed in his father's law
enforcement footsteps. Eric himself is a decorated, 21-year veteran of the
Kansas City Police Department.
My husband is a hero.
But it didn't matter to the prosecutor that the suspect recklessly swerved a
stolen truck through city streets… that he was violent toward his ex-girlfriend
and endangered the lives of her two children… that he pointed a stolen gun
directly at a police officer.
And since the Missouri Supreme Court recently declined to take up Eric's case,
he'll stay imprisoned for six years unless he receives a pardon from the
Governor of Missouri.
He's already been separated from us for over a year and now, for a second
Christmas, our home will be left without the father and husband we love.
Even if Eric's good name is eventually cleared, just thinking about the cost
of his defense and now our efforts to get him pardoned is overwhelming…
... but thank God we got a call from Jason Johnson, President of the Law
Enforcement Legal Defense Fund (LELDF).
If you've ever heard of LELDF you know they're a national group fighting on
behalf of wrongly accused police officers like Eric.
LELDF has helped dozens of innocent cops -- and their families -- at their
lowest moments.
And with the thought of trying to suddenly raise our three children alone -- I
was certainly at one of the lowest moments of my life.
But as a non-profit organization, LELDF depends solely on generous gifts from
folks like you to defend officers like Eric.
So I must ask you one of the toughest questions I've ever asked anyone.
Will you donate $35 or any amount to LELDF today to help save my husband?
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If I had anywhere else to turn, I wouldn't be so bold as to ask for your help.
But I am so scared for Eric and I will do whatever I can for him -- and for
our children.
So I pray you'll find it in your heart this Christmas season to make a
tax-deductible gift of $35, $50, $100 or more to the Law Enforcement Legal
Defense Fund.
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Eric and I -- and our three kids -- are counting on the good nature and
generosity of kind neighbors like you to help bring Eric home where he belongs.
No matter what you're able to give today, please pray for us. Thank you in
advance for your support.
Sincerely,
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Sarah DeValkenaere
P.S. The Missouri Supreme Court has declined to take Eric's case. Now a pardon
is one of the last remaining options to bring Eric home. We're feverishly
trying to raise the money to pay for a massive petition drive urging the
Missouri Governor Mike Parson to pardon Eric. I know my husband is innocent.
But dozens of prosecutors across the country have made it a priority to try
and lock up as many cops as they can. Even if they followed their training or
defended themselves in the line of duty. The brave men and women in blue need
to know that someone… anyone still has their back.
That's why I sincerely hope you'll help me get justice for Eric -- and our
entire family -- by making a tax-deductible gift of any amount to the LELDF
today.
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Thank you and God bless!
More such officers who sacrifice so much for will face similar fates unless we
speak out and stand up for the brave men and women in blue. The next time you
see a police officer in your community, please thank them for their service. To
read more about our mission or the other Law Enforcement officers we're
defending, please visit. And remember –Blue Lives Matter!
© Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund | www.PoliceDefense.org
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2560 Huntington Ave. Suite 203, Alexandria, VA, 22303
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