Ronald Reed Denied Parole in 1970 Murder of St. Paul Officer James Sackett
Minnesota’s Supervised Release Board has denied supervised release for Ronald Reed, 76, who was convicted of the 1970 murder of St. Paul Police Officer James Sackett Sr. According to the Minnesota Department of Corrections, the board deadlocked 2-2 during a Friday meeting before Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell broke the tie by voting against release, marking the fourth time Reed has been denied parole.
The 1970 Ambush and Decades-Long Legal Battle
Officer James Sackett was gunned down on May 22, 1970, after responding to a fake emergency call regarding a pregnant woman in distress at Hague Avenue and Victoria Street in St. Paul, roughly a half-mile from the governor’s residence. According to state records and investigators, Reed lay in wait with a .30-caliber rifle across the street and fired at Sackett, leaving behind a wife and four children, including Julie Sackett, who was 14 months old at the time.
Prosecutors maintained during the trial that Reed sought to impress national leadership of the Black Panthers by targeting a white police officer. The case remained dormant for decades until reporting by KSTP-TV prompted investigators to reopen the file. In 2006, a Ramsey County jury convicted Reed of aiding and abetting first-degree premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree premeditated murder. A judge sentenced him to life in prison, but because he was sentenced under laws active at the time of the 1970 crime, he became eligible for parole after serving less than 17 years.
Board Deadlock and Commissioner’s Hardline Stance
With one of the five board members absent, the Supervised Release Board split evenly during the Friday hearing. Speaking via video link from the Lino Lakes prison, Reed questioned Commissioner Paul Schnell about taking a hardline position. Schnell cited victim and public sentiment as the driving factor behind his tie-breaking vote.
The decision drew immediate backing from law enforcement organizations. “The victim’s family, law enforcement, and the public were heard – and the board made the right decision,” the St. Paul Police Federation stated following the vote. “Officer Sackett’s sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Conversely, supporters of Reed advocated for his release. Melvin Carter II, a retired St. Paul police officer and longtime friend of Reed since grade school, argued that Reed poses no threat to public safety. “When that crime happened, he was 19 years old,” Carter said. “It’s time to let him go.”
Impact on the Sackett Family and Future Hearings
Julie Sackett noted that her family and numerous law enforcement allies consistently submit letters opposing Reed’s release ahead of each board review. “I don’t think that it’s fair that anyone that murders somebody should ever be released from prison, let alone a police officer,” Sackett stated. Her family intends to keep her father’s legacy alive through ongoing remembrance.
The Supervised Release Board is scheduled to consider parole for Ronald Reed again in March 2028.