Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective John Apanites was shot and killed as he and another officer questioned two shoplifting suspects, a 27-year-old man and his 20-year-old female companion, at a local clothing store at 322 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland. Around 7:45 p.m., as the officers waited for a patrol car to arrive, a struggle ensued between the officers and the male suspect. The suspect and the officers exchanged gunshots, and all four were wounded. The male suspect fled to a city bus, where a patrolman arrested him. Detective Apanites died at the scene, and his partner was seriously wounded. The female suspect pleaded guilty to shoplifting and was sentenced to 90 days and $150 fine. The male suspect, who had been arrested 32 times and was out on two separate bonds involving two different armed robberies, was sentenced to death for Detective Apanites' murder. His sentence was later commuted to life. He was denied parole in February 2016. He will be eligible for parole again on December 1, 2025. Detective Apanites was a United States Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve veteran who served with the Cleveland Division of Police for 18 months. He had previously served with the FBI for six months and the East Cleveland Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, mother, and father, who had also served with the Cleveland Division of Police.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-EA8B9965- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Detective Apanites gave the Cleveland Division of Police 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John Apanites, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Detective John Apanites, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cleveland Division of Police, 83 of 119 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Apanites, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John Apanites, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Apanites, Jr. is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Apanites, Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
118 officers from Cleveland Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
