A 60-year-old Sedro-Woolley man, who has served time for shooting and killing a police officer in 1966, will not be returning to jail for threatening to kill his neighbors and for housing a large marijuana growing operation in 2006.

Daniel Patton Kramer appeared Friday for sentencing in Skagit County Superior Court, after pleading guilty to manufacturing marijuana, possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver and two charges of misdemeanor harassment last October.

At that point, Kramer had already served six months in jail in connection with the threats and the marijuana growing. However, Kramer will not be going back to jail for his 2006 crimes.

Instead, he was sent to alcohol treatment, a mental health evaluation and 24 months of probation under the Department of Corrections.

Kramer served three years of a 20-year sentence on a conviction of second-degree murder in the 1966 shooting of a Marysville police officer. The shooting occurred when he was 17 years old.

The murder was not mentioned during the Friday sentencing hearing.

In September 2006 neighbors reported that Kramer was threatening to kill them, claiming he had “killed before and would not hesitate to kill again,” court documents state.

During a subsequent search of Kramer’s home, sheriff’s deputies discovered a large-scale marijuana-growing operation, firearms, ammunition and more than $100,000 in cash.

Since his October guilty pleas, Kramer has been living with his sister and attending continuous alcohol treatment, which appears to be successful, attorneys from both sides and Judge Dave Needy said.

“It’s been amazing to watch your transformation and progress,” Needy said.

The court released him in October to test if Kramer could blend into society again with proper professional help.

“This is just everything we hoped for, both on a human level and keeping the community safe,” said Prosecuting Attorney Trisha Johnson.

Johnson also said the court would be “hanging a hammer” over Kramer’s head to ensure he does not cause any problems. If he breaks the conditions of his probation, he will serve a year in jail.

“I think you only need a carrot in front of you to continue on your path,” Needy said.

Kramer told the judge he didn’t realize how dangerous alcohol was until he began his treatment, and he is enjoying his life as a sober man.

“Our society is learning about that the hard way,” Needy said.

* Tahlia Ganser can be reached at 360-416-2148 or at .