Larry McDonald Jr.
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Service Record
East Cleveland Ohio Police Department
| Dates of Service | Part-time from October 15, 2007 - March 3, 2017.[1] |
| Last Known Status | Separated[1] |
University Circle Ohio Police Department
| Dates of Service | Part-time from October 3, 2014 - January 28, 2021.[1] |
| Last Known Status | Separated |
Cleveland Ohio Police Department
| Dates of Service | May 12, 2017 - March 6, 2018.[1] |
| Last Known Status | Resigned[2] |
East Cleveland Ohio Police Department
| Rank | Sergeant (Commander) |
| Dates of Service | March 5, 2018 - May 23, 2023.[1] |
| Last Known Status | Resigned in lieu of termination.[1] |
Put-in-Bay Ohio Police Department
| Dates of Service | Part-time from May 18, 2019 - November 25, 2019.[1] |
| Last Known Status | Resigned in good standing.[1] |
Incident Reports
2019 Interceding
On October 23, 2019, a woman was arrested on a misdemeanor assault complaint. McDonald helped to get the woman released from jail without bond, in exchange for her agreeing to go on a date with him.[2]
In November 2019, the woman filed a complaint.[2]
Response Timeline
McDonald was suspended for 10 days without pay.[3]
2020 Missing Evidence
In 2020, McDonald made comments to another officer about removing marijuana from the department's evidence locker.[3]
Response Timeline
An internal investigation found no marijuana missing from evidence.[3]
2021 Shooting of Vincent Belmonte
On January 5, 2021, McDonald attempted to stop Belmonte's vehicle. Belmonte led McDonald on a chase until he crashed and fled on foot. McDonald turned off his body-worn camera as he exited his vehicle to pursue Belmonte. McDonald claims to have seen Belmonte turn and point a gun at him, prompting McDonald to fire, striking Belmonte.[3]
Belmonte died at the hospital.[3]
A gun was found in the pocket of Belmonte's sweatshirt.[3]
Response Timeline
McDonald claimed that he was attempting to turn on his body-worn camera when he turned it off.[3]
McDonald received a written reprimand for failing to turn on his body camera.[3]
On October 22, 2021, a Cuyahoga County grand jury declined to charge McDonald after considering charges of murder, felonious assault, and tampering with evidence.[3]
2023 Vehicle Pursuit
On March 12, 2023, McDonald attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation. The vehicle fled, and McDonald pursued it until it crashed in Cleveland. McDonald did not stop at the scene nor notify anyone of the crash. McDonald drove to a lounge.[4]
The driver of the car called Cleveland police, who contacted the East Cleveland police department. East Cleveland Sergeant Anthony Holmes called McDonald, who denied seeing the crash.[4][5]
Part of the incident and response was captured on McDonald's body-worn camera.[6]
Response Timeline
During the investigation, it was found that Holmes withheld knowledge of McDonald's involvement.[4]
On May 23, 2023, McDonald resigned.[6]
On May 23, 2023, McDonald was indicted on charges of tampering with evidence, failure to stop after an accident, telecommunications fraud, obstructing official business, and dereliction of duty.[4]
On May 23, 2023, Holmes was indicted on charges of tampering with evidence, telecommunications fraud, obstructing justice, obstructing official business, and dereliction of duty.[4]
As of February 7, 2024, the criminal proceedings were still open.[7]
LEO Ratings
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Officer Records, Ohio Attorney General
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Rachel Dissell, East Cleveland police commander suspended for helping woman get released from jail without bond, cleveland.com, 2020-01-12
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Adam Ferrise, Grand jury declines to indict East Cleveland police officer who fatally shot man following chase, Cleveland.com, 2021-10-22
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Peggy Gallek, What led to police commander’s indictment? Bodycam video shows alleged incident, WJW, 2023-05-26
- ↑ Courtney Shaw, East Cleveland Police officer resigns following indictment, News 5 Cleveland, 2023-05-24
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 East Cleveland officers indicted on multiple charges, 19 News, 2023-05-25
- ↑ Ohio vs McDonald, Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts
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