No Parole for Cop Killers

Help stop the parole of the killer of Detective John Apanites, Jr.

Detective John Apanites, Jr.

Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio

End of Watch Monday, April 7, 1969

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https://drc.ohio.gov/systems-and-services/1-parole/parole-board-hearing-input

Use Inmate #A129651 on all correspondence.

Inmate name: Joseph McDonald
Inmate #A129651

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Mailing Address:
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Office of Victim Services
P.O. Box 430
Columbus, OH 43216

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Parole Letter

Subject

Your message

To Whom It May Concern,

I respectfully ask that you DENY PAROLE to Joseph McDonald, inmate #A129651, who shot and killed Detective John Apanites, Jr of the Cleveland Police Department on April 7, 1969.

Detective John Apanites and his partner, Patrolman John McNamara, were questioning inmate #A129651 and another person suspected of shoplifting a coat at Petries' Dress Shop on Euclid Avenue in Cleveland. When Patrolman McNamara started to place inmate #A129651 in handcuffs, inmate #A129651 grabbed his gun from his holster and shot Detective Apanites twice and seriously wounded Patrolman McNamara before fleeing the store. Detective Apanites died in the stock room while the store manager watched the incident unfold.

Inmate #A129651 had been arrested at least 32 times for crimes of assault and battery, prostitution, receiving stolen property, discharging firearms, passing counterfeit money, carrying concealed weapons, and contempt of court. The day he murdered Detective Apanites and shot Patrolman McNamara, he was free on two separate bonds for two different crimes. Less than a month earlier, he had been arrested for armed robbery of a grocery store, kidnapping the store manager, and shooting at law enforcement officers. Inmate #A129651 was a danger to society, and it culminated at Petries' Dress Shop on April 7, 1969. During his trial, he was never remorseful, and during one of the trial days, he fell asleep. A jury convicted him on three counts of first-degree murder, killing a policeman, and shooting with intent to kill, stating that it only took one ballot to reach a decision, knowing the conviction resulted in the death penalty.

Detective John Apanites, Jr., was a United States Marine Corps veteran who, after serving on active duty, joined the Marine Corps Reserves. He was a dedicated law enforcement officer serving with the FBI and the East Cleveland Police Department before joining the Cleveland Division of Police. He was a respected and valued member of the community and was planning to attend Cleveland-Marshall Law School in the fall of 1969. Most importantly, John Apanites was a devoted and loving husband, son, and father. His daughter was only one year old, and his son was 2 1/2 years old when he was killed, not growing up experiencing their father's valor, compassion, and kindness.

Parole is a privilege and not a right. As a concerned citizen and in the interest of public safety, I again respectfully ask that you DENY PAROLE to inmate #A129651. Justice demands that he be made to spend the rest of his life in prison.

Sincerely,

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