No Parole for Cop Killers

Help stop the parole of the killer of Police Officer John Thomas Scanlon

Police Officer John Thomas Scanlon

Robbinsdale Police Department, Minnesota

End of Watch Thursday, February 14, 1985

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Special Instructions: You can email a letter to:
Commissioner Schnell at mnparoleinput.doc@state.mn.us

Include Ronald Vernon Schneider, inmate#136421, in all correspondence.

Mail letter to:
Minnesota Department of Corrections-Victims Assistance
Life Sentence Advocacy Program
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 200
St. Paul, MN 55108

Deadline for letters is October 15, 2025

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Parole Letter

Subject

Your message

Dear Honorable Members of the Parole Board:

I respectfully ask that parole be denied for Ronald Vernon Schneider, inmate #136421. The inmate brutally murdered Police Officer John Thomas Scanlon on February 14, 1985.

Officer John Scanlon was shot and killed by Inmate #136421, a burglary suspect who had been holding an office employee hostage as a human shield. After Officer Scanlon and another officer cleared the scene of the burglary call, and while Officer Scanlon remained in his patrol car doing paperwork, inmate #136421 returned to the scene, approached Officer Scanlon's vehicle, and opened fire from the driver's side.

In November of 1985, inmate #136421 was sentenced to life for the murder of Officer Scanlon, in addition to the charges of kidnapping, burglary, and second-degree assault.

Police Officer John Scanlon was only 35 years old when he was slain. He was a dedicated law enforcement officer with the Robbinsdale Police Department for 11 years. Within his community, he was a well-liked and respected officer who had previously served his country in the Vietnam War and was denied the opportunity to give more to his community - he was scheduled to interview for a promotion to Sergeant the day after his murder. Most importantly, he was a devoted son, husband, and father to a newborn he and his wife had adopted just prior to his murder.

Parole is a privilege and not a right. This inmate's violent behavior towards law enforcement should preclude any parole consideration. As a concerned citizen and in the interest of public safety, justice demands that he serve his whole life sentence and that you DENY PAROLE to inmate #136421.

Sincerely,

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