Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! Please help me honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Detective John Apanites, Jr. of the Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 68 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

April 7, 2024

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Detective John Apanites, Jr. of the Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 64 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

April 7, 2023

Rest in peace Detective Apanites.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 19, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Detective John Apanites, Jr. of the Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 62 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

April 7, 2021

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service to this country.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

April 7, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Detective John Apanites, Jr. of the Cleveland Police Department, Ohio and the additional 58 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

April 7, 2018

I neglected to update everyone regarding the outcome of the parole hearing. Parole was denied but reconsideration has been postponed to 2020. Many heartfelt thanks from our family to you for remembering and supporting us.

Barbara Apanites
Daughter of John R. Apanites, EOW: 4/07/1969

January 25, 2017

This guy has a lot of guts petitioning for parole, he should be grateful that he was saved from being fried, forget about being released.

Citizen

November 11, 2016

Thank you for your supporting our family and sending letters to the parole board. We are very grateful. We hope to hear their decision this month or next.

Sincerely,

Barb Apanites
Daughter of John Apanites

Barbara Apanites
Surviving daughter

March 10, 2016

Time may have passed, but the murder of such a good man will never go away. My prayers be with you and your family. Many thanks for our service in our military and police force. I hope my letter to the parole board made a difference.

John Haseltine - Civilian

February 29, 2016

Proud to send my No Parole letter today. Thank you for your service to this great nation and to your community. God bless the family, friends, and former co-workers of Detective Apanites during this re-opening of a never healing wound.

Sr. Ptlmn Donnie Meaders(RET)
Wewoka (OK) Police Department

February 17, 2016

My letter went out today. Thank you for your service.

Barbie Langham-Diamond
Daughter of fallen Officer Billy M Langham

February 10, 2016

IN HONORE CASORUM
the promise... Always honored, never forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

April 7, 2015

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

April 7, 2014

Bert Rogers was more than a partner and friend to John. We did lose touch after John's death, but I will never forget Bert and his wonderful family. Bert was more like a brother to John. So moving that your reflection is written on April 7th. Love you and your family. Jackie

Jackie Hlivak - John's widow

May 10, 2013

A day doesn’t pass that I don’t think of John, whom I first met nearly 50 years ago when he was assigned to me as a rookie trainee. It was clear from the get-go that John was intelligent, dedicated, vigilant and hard-working. He developed excellent skills and it was clear that he had all the makings of a superb police officer. His attitude and aptitude made him a pleasure to train. So much so that upon completion of training, I requested we be assigned as partners, which we were.

The bond of partners is one that is hard to describe – co-workers, friends, brothers. We shared long hours, tense moments, and thanks to John’s sense of humor, lots of laughs. Our relationship was built upon trust and mutual respect. As such, it extended outside the patrol car to include our families. The one thing John loved more than being a police officer was his family. I was so impressed by this that I could think of no one better to ask to be godfather to my second son, Timothy.

I regret that I have lost track with the Jackie, Barbara & John Jr. as my work in corporate security following my time on the East Cleveland Police Department took me out of state. I retired in 1996 and relocated to Charlotte, NC. Nonetheless, John’s memory has stayed in my heart and his family in my thoughts and prayers on all days, but especially each and every April 7.

Bert B. Rogers
Patrolman, partner, good friend

April 7, 2013

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

April 7, 2013

Every April 12.I think of John & Jackie Apanites and family. John was my father's partner on the ECPD and godfather to my brother Timmy. My father , Bert Rogers, would very much like to get in touch with you, Jackie, and I would like to facilitate this. Love & prayers to you and your family. Susan Rogers Finnan

Susan Rogers Finnan
Family Friend

April 14, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 43 anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer. He was also your fellow Marine so I bid you semper fi.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

I pray for solace fo all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace today. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through thier reflections.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

April 8, 2012

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department

April 7, 2012

Every April 7th, I think of you, John and your children. My father. Bert Rogers, would like to get in touch with you May I give him your phone #?

[email protected]
Family

April 4, 2012

Jackie,
I hope you will responed 2 my e-mail. Susan Rogers Finnan

[email protected]

April 4, 2012

Jackie,
I hope you will responed 2 my e-mail

[email protected]

April 4, 2012

Jackie, I am the daughter of Bert Rogers, a former partner of John, godfather to my brother ,
Tim Rogers. My father Bert would very much like to get in touch with you and I would appreciate it if you would allow me to give him your phone number so he can talk to you. Please get in touch with me at . I still think of John and your loss even though I was only a young teen at the time of his death. It affected me deeply and still does, perhaps because I knew you as such good people and still cannot accept his death in my heart. I know it's been over 40 years but every April 7, I think, I remember and I pray for you, John and your children. God Bless and I hope to hear from you soon.

Susan Rogers Finnan, Medina OH
Family Friend

April 2, 2012

How stranged I never used "Google" and then I did today. John was my husband, father of my two wonderful children and always was my friend. I remember one day when I was feeling down in the dumps with the kids being only 15 months apart and I said to John, anyhone could do this job, and he looked at me and said, "you have the most important job, you are their mother". John could have easily raised the children, he was before his time and loved John Michael and Babes so very much. We still love him, we miss him, and know some day we will see him. Jackie

Jackie Hlivak, wife of John

March 17, 2012