Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper is calling for changes to California law after describing what he said is a pattern of repeated arrests, releases, and missed court appearances involving a convicted killer who continues to face firearm-related arrests.
Cooper pointed to the case of Jerry Grover, who was convicted of murder and attempted murder at age 15. According to the sheriff, Grover was sent to juvenile hall rather than the California Youth Authority before eventually being released.
“Four years ago, Jerry Grover, then 15, was convicted for murder and attempted murder, sent to juvenile hall, not the California Youth Authority, but juvenile hall,” Cooper said.
After Grover’s release, Cooper said detectives with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office repeatedly encountered him while he was allegedly carrying firearms.
“He gets out. My gang detectives contact him three times. Each time he had a firearm in his possession.”
Cooper said one of those encounters ended in a pursuit after Grover allegedly fled from law enforcement.
“One time he fled and crashed into an innocent individual’s vehicle.”
Despite the repeated arrests, Cooper said Grover was released after each case.
“Every time he either bailed out or was O.R.’d by the court.”
According to Cooper, Grover also failed to appear for multiple scheduled court proceedings.
“He failed to appear. He never showed up.”
Cooper said detectives eventually arrested Grover a fourth time after those missed court appearances.
“My detectives go and arrest him for a fourth time for those three failures to appear.”
He said Grover again attempted to flee from deputies despite already being on probation.
“He flees. The irony is, he’s on probation for murder.”
Cooper said deputies recovered multiple firearms during that arrest but that Grover was released once again.
“We arrest him with three firearms. He gets out. There’s no accountability.”
The sheriff argued that repeat offenders recognize the lack of consequences under the current system.
“These individuals know that. These kids know that.”
Cooper said Grover had already received what he viewed as a second chance following his original conviction.
“You know, you killed someone. You’re given a second chance, and you blow it. Yet you’re still out.”
He described the situation as an ongoing cycle that continues without meaningful consequences.
“It’s just repetitive. It goes on and on and on, and that is a classic example of stupidity. You keep doing the same thing.”
Cooper said the public and law enforcement officers have grown increasingly frustrated with the situation.
“The public’s fed up. I know I’m fed up. My detectives are fed up.”
He argued that lawmakers must make changes to address what he believes are shortcomings in the current legal system.
“But we have to change the laws.”
Cooper said he hopes people understand the level of concern expressed by law enforcement.
“I said the frustration. I hope you hear my voice. It’s not working. It has not worked.”
Looking ahead, Cooper warned that he fears the current pattern could lead to more violence.
“My fear is he takes someone else’s life, or engages in a gunfight with our deputies. That’s bound to happen. I’m not willing to risk it.”
Cooper noted that Grover is now 19 years old and questioned how many opportunities should be given to repeat offenders.
“The hard part is, and like I said, I just, just my emotion with this is just, how can this happen? He’s 19 years old. He was given a second chance. He doesn’t care, and you have individuals like that that don’t care. That should be locked up.”
He concluded by asking how many more chances the justice system should provide.
“He’s 19 now. How many more chances do we give Gary Grover, who’s willing to roll the dice that he doesn’t kill somebody else? I know I’m not.”
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