No Parole for Cop Killers

Help stop the parole of the killer of Police Officer William Ronald Toney

Police Officer William Ronald Toney

Beech Grove Police Department, Indiana

End of Watch Friday, September 29, 2000

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Special Instructions: This is for a Clemency hearing. Officer Toney's murderer is scheduled for execution in May 2025. This is to prevent his last attempt to stop justice from being served.

All letters are due on Friday, May 2, 2025

Email: [email protected]
Subject line: Benjamin Ritchie #967072

Include the inmate's name and number on all correspondence: Benjamin Ritchie 967072

Family asks you not to be negative because "Bill was a great, positive man, and they don't want to go down that path."

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Parole Letter

Subject

Your message

To whom it may concern,

I respectfully ask you to DENY CLEMENCY to Benjamin Ritchie, inmate #967072, who shot and killed Police Officer William Ronald Toney on Friday, September 29, 2000.

Around 9:20 p.m., Beech Grove Police officers spotted a van that had been reported stolen, and they attempted to pull the driver over. When the driver did not stop, a vehicle pursuit ensued until the stolen van crashed in a residential neighborhood. Inmate #967072 ran from the vehicle, and Officer Toney followed him. During the foot pursuit, inmate #967072 turned and fired multiple shots, striking Officer Toney in the throat above his bullet-resistant vest.  Police Officer William Toney died an hour later at Wishard Memorial Hospital.

Inmate #967072 was on probation for a previous burglary and was wanted for carjacking charges. Residents reported hearing: Stop and then a barrage of gunfire. Evidence proved that inmate #967072 fired three times at Officer Toney, with one hitting him and two landing in a fence. During the trial and penalty phase, inmate #967072 was not remorseful: he laughed during Officer Toney's widow's impact statement, he wolf-whistled at her, and tattooed #37 on his neck, Officer Toney's badge number.

Police Officer William "Bill" Toney was a dedicated Police Officer with the Beech Grove Police Department for two years. He was fulfilling his dream of serving as a police officer and was murdered the day before he was to turn 32 years old. He was a respected and valued member of the community, helping neighbors in times of need. Bill was revered for his coaching endeavors and his passion for basketball. Most importantly, Bill was a devoted and loving husband, father, son, and brother. His two daughters were only 4 years and 18 months old when he was killed, growing up without their father.

As a concerned citizen and in the interest of public safety, I again respectfully ask that you deny clemency for inmate #967072. A jury recommended the death sentence for his crimes. His record of violence should preclude any consideration for clemency. Justice demands that he serve his complete sentence, which is an execution scheduled for May 2025.

Sincerely,

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