A former paramedic in Aurora, Colorado, Jeremy Cooper, was sentenced to four years of probation, 14 months of work release, and 100 hours of community service on Friday for his role in the killing of Elijah McClain. This sentencing marked the end of a yearslong effort to prosecute those involved in the death of the Black pedestrian. Cooper had been convicted of criminally negligent homicide for injecting McClain with more Ketamine than protocol allowed for a person his size.

During the sentencing, District Judge Mark Warner acknowledged the painful nature of body camera videos showing McClain's deadly interaction with police. Cooper, visibly emotional, expressed his regret and sorrow for his actions, stating, "I never meant for anyone to hurt you, Elijah. I am so sorry that we all failed you."

McClain's mother, Sheneen McClain, also addressed the court before the sentencing, expressing her disappointment in Cooper's actions and calling for accountability. She criticized Cooper for not checking her son's pulse or conducting a thorough examination before administering the sedative.

The sentencing of Cooper follows the convictions of other first responders involved in McClain's death. Paramedic Peter Cichuniec was sentenced to five years in prison, while police officer Randy Roedema received a 14-month jail sentence. Officer Jason Rosenblatt was acquitted of all charges, and officer Nathan Woodyard was found not guilty last year.

McClain's case received renewed scrutiny following the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, leading to widespread protests and demands for justice. The charges against the first responders were brought after Governor Jared Polis assigned a special prosecutor to reexamine the case in 2020.

Experts noted that the convictions in McClain's case are significant, as they would have been unlikely before the national reckoning over racist policing that began in 2020. McClain's mother, however, believes that justice has not yet been fully served and continues to advocate for accountability for all those involved in her son's death.