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Polis commutation of cop-shooter draws Fremont County Commissioner Grantham’s ire – Canon City Daily Record.As the limits on Gov.Jared Polis’s term in office approach, on May 15, he announced the pardon of 35 and sentence commutation of nine more.One of those drew Fremont County Commissioner Kevin Grantham’s rage Tuesday, and not the one, he says, which has garnered such public notoriety and opposition from Polis’s own political party.Polis] also granted clemency to someone by the name of Brandin Kreuzer,” Grantham said.In 2008, Kreuzer participated in a series of crimes in Douglas County, which led to his conviction on motor vehicle theft, burglary, robbery, second-degree kidnapping, and, most notably, a first-degree assault of a peace officer charge when he shot Deputy Todd Tucker.His sentence will be commuted on June 1.“[Kreuzer] shot one and tried to shoot another Douglas County deputy, significantly injuring him,” Grantham said.“That deputy is still living with those injuries today.” The commutation letter from Gov.Polis to Kreuzer, serving a 50-year sentence in the Sterling Correctional Facility, says he has currently served 15 years – or nearly a third of his sentence.Polis calls the sentence disproportionate.“You were given a lengthier sentence than some defendants who have committed murder,” Polis wrote.“Recent changes in the law also extend greater discretion to judges, making it likely that you would have received a shorter sentence if you were sentenced today.” Grantham had a harsh response to Polis.“This creates a scenario that makes our law enforcement open game for folks, sending the message, ‘Well, you shot a cop, but it’s not that bad.’ This is reprehensible,” he said.In explaining his decision to grant clemency, Polis wrote to Kreuzer that Kreuzer has gained an “awareness of the impact your actions had” and that he has been an exemplary inmate.He also adds Kreuzer’s completion of a welding apprenticeship, taking college courses and participating in the Redemption Road CrossFit Program.Polis continues: “You have taken accountability for your actions and recognize the mistakes you made in the past.You are remorseful and ready to advance to a new phase of life.I believe you will be successful upon your release.” Grantham returned to his criticism of the commutation related to the governor’s office letter to Kreuzer.Polis granted this cop-shooter clemency,” he said.“Every detail used in the clemency letter by the governor was factually wrong, wrong, and yet this person will be free as of June 1.” Kreuzer was 19 when, between May 27 and June 28, 2008, he committed a series of crimes with Taylor Moudy, and on June 28 fired multiple ammunition rounds at police during a high-speed chase.Tucker was struck in the arm, causing him permanent damage.He has undergone several surgeries, but still does not have full function of the arm.He is now a law enforcement officer in Maryland, an Internet search reads.“This decision is an insult to me, my family, and every law enforcement officer who risks their life every single day to protect their communities,” Tucker said in a statement to Police1.com, and read at a Douglas County press conference.“What makes this even more outrageous is the timing — on a day meant to honor fallen officers and recognize the sacrifices made by law enforcement, Gov.Polis chose to announce clemency for a man convicted of shooting a deputy in the line of duty.That is beyond disrespectful.It is a complete betrayal of the men and women who wear the badge.” Grantham reinforced “the governor has the right to grant clemency, and pardon people,” and called the decision on Kreuzer ultimately “his right and his prerogative.” Brian Porter is a special government and politics contributor to the Cañon City Daily Record.