John Gacy
John Wayne Gacy, one of the worst serial killers in American history, served time at Anamosa from 1968-70. He was sentenced to 10 years for the crime of Sodomy from Black Hawk County. The crime was chillingly similar to the multiple murders he committed years later in Chicago - sexual attacks on young men.
Gacy was a well-liked, hard-working businessman in Waterloo, Iowa before being arrested. In fact, he was named "outstanding vice president" of the Waterloo Jaycees in 1967. He was well-behaved at Anamosa, serving as lead cook in the kitchen and helping the prison chapter of the Jaycees in building a miniature golf course, which is still in use today. It was important for him to be the "big shot", the center of attention. Later, after his release, he would become active in Chicago area politics, even being photographed with then-First Lady Rosalyn Carter. He would perform as "Pogo" the clown at childrens' parties. However, his ambition and affability hid a much darker side.
After his release from the Iowa correctional system, he moved to Chicago to live with his mother. In the years following he would cement his position in the pantheon of the America's worst serial killers. In 1980 he was tried and convicted of the murders of 33 young men and, in 1994, was executed by lethal injection by the State of Illinois.
WHO-TV interview
Gacy release photo, 1970
Gacy singing in prison choir
Gacy being interviewed by WHO-TV, Des Moines, in a "Christmas at Anamosa" special aired in 1969. Gacy describes in detail the Christmas meal he and other kitchen workers were preparing.
