The National Police Association asked the Department of Justice to open a federal civil rights investigation into New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez after he prosecuted a police officer for fatally shooting a suspect who grabbed his partner’s stun gun.

Las Cruces Police Officer Brad Lunsford was convicted of voluntary manslaughter after he shot and killed Presley Eze after the suspect allegedly placed his hand on another police officer’s stun gun. Lunsford was responding to a gas station after an attendant called 911 to report that Eze allegedly stole beer in August 2022.

Torrez, a Democrat, thought the shooting by Lunsford wasn’t justified and decided to prosecute Lunsford for voluntary manslaughter. Lunsford was convicted by a jury in February. 

“Today’s verdict reaffirms a fundamental principle: No one is above the law, not even those sworn to uphold it. Officer Lunsford’s actions were not just a tragic lapse in judgment; they were an egregious abuse of power that cost Presley Eze his life,” Torrez said after the verdict was announced.

National Police Association spokesperson Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith says the prosecution was politically charged. (Fox News)

Smith argued that Torrez used this case to benefit his political career.

“We absolutely believe that Attorney General Torrez is using the Lunsford case for his own political activism and for his gain as an elected official. And what is not being considered is Officer Lunsford’s record and the fact that he absolutely followed departmental policy, and he followed his training in this case,” Smith said.

Smith said the National Police Association is taking action against Torrez not only because of what’s happening to Lunsford, but also for the potential effect it could have on police officers across the country.

“This case will absolutely have a national impact, especially for police officers who have these far-left attorneys general and far-left state prosecutors who are more interested in putting police officers in prison than they are arresting and convicting actual criminals,” she said.

Fox News Digital reached out to Torrez’ office, the New Mexico Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Justice for comment.