The case sparked outrage and resulted in prayer vigils and even a fundraiser for a bench to commemorate the giant elk near the spot of his death.
Carter was found guilty of illegal taking of big game, tampering with evidence, attempting to influence a public official as well as a host of other charges. Carter contends the animal was aggressive and became dangerously domesticated, a claim many locals contest.
Prosecutors say that, on the day Carter killed 'Big Boy' he shut off the GPS on his patrol car and then tried to pass the giant elk off as roadkill.
He also texted a fellow officer messages that included statements about hunting elk, including one before the start of his shift that said "He's gonna die." Once the elk was dead, Carter got the fellow officer to help him cart it off and butcher it. Both men resigned from the Boulder Police Department.