The children of fallen St. Paul police officer James Sackett are again gearing up for a fight, asking the community to speak out as a crucial parole hearing looms for Ronald Lindsey Reed, the man convicted in Sackett’s 1970 ambush killing. Reed is set for review by the state Supervised Release Board on Aug. 11, 2026, and Sackett’s children say each new hearing drags them back through their father’s death. The family is urging residents to submit written comments opposing Reed’s release before the board’s filing deadline.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections’ public review schedule lists Reed, OID 219531, on the Aug. 11 docket and shows his parole eligibility date as Sept. 16, 2021. The department issues public notices for cases involving the murder of a peace or correctional officer and accepts written statements from the public for those reviews. According to the Minnesota Department of Corrections, Reed’s case appears on the board’s upcoming review list.
Julie Sackett, who was a toddler when her father was killed, told local media the family is “constantly fighting to try to find justice” and fears Reed could be released because he was sentenced under 1970 law. The family is asking the public to email the board in opposition, and local coverage notes that public comments can be sent to [email protected] by 4 p.m. on July 21. As reported by FOX 9, the Sacketts are calling for a broad community response.
Reed was indicted in 2005 and, in 2006, a Ramsey County jury convicted him of aiding and abetting first degree murder and conspiracy. The Minnesota Supreme Court later affirmed those convictions. Court records state that Officer Sackett was shot while responding to a false emergency call in the early hours of May 22, 1970. The appeals and post conviction litigation are reflected in the state court record and remain part of the case’s long history, which prosecutors and defense attorneys continue to cite.
How the Supervised Release Board Will Review Reed
On July 1, 2024, lawmakers shifted authority over life and indeterminate sentence release decisions from the corrections commissioner to a five member Supervised Release Board. The board weighs factors set out in law, including risk to the community, in prison behavior, treatment progress and a community investigation report, when deciding on release. As outlined by the Minnesota Department of Corrections’ Supervised Release Board, the change is intended to provide a more transparent, multi member review.
Legal context
Under current Minnesota law, causing the death of a peace officer who is carrying out official duties is classified as first degree murder and can result in life imprisonment without the possibility of release. At the same time, state statutes require the board to consider rehabilitative steps taken in custody along with public safety concerns when making release decisions. See Minn. Stat. § 609.185 for how the statute defines first degree murder.
How to make your voice heard
The Sackett family has asked those who oppose Reed’s release to email the board and, when possible, include Reed’s OID, 219531, and the Aug. 11 hearing date in their messages. Local reporting lists the deadline for written comments as 4 p.m. on July 21 and identifies an email address used by reporters for submissions. As reported by FOX 9, letters and emails are described as the quickest way for community members to get a written statement in ahead of the review.
The board’s decision will ultimately turn on statutory factors and on materials submitted by victims, law enforcement representatives and members of the public. The Sackett family says it will keep pushing for denial of release and continue making its position clear before the Aug. 11 review.
