Settlement Reached In Colorado Patrol Shooting

January 9, 2013

The Colorado State Patrol has agreed to pay more than $1 million to the family of a man who was shot and killed when he refused to allow troopers into his Mesa County home without a warrant.

Mark Silverstein, director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Colorado, said Monday the patrol has also agreed to set up training programs to prevent future tragedies.

According to a lawsuit, troopers Kirk Firko and Ivan Lawyer were investigating a traffic accident in 2010 when they knocked on the door of Jason Kemp, who was shot when he demanded to see a warrant. The two troopers were later fired. Charges against the two troopers were dismissed.

A spokeswoman from the state patrol did not return a phone call seeking comment.