Wisconsin Department of Justice - Division of Criminal Investigation, Wisconsin
End of Watch Friday, November 5, 2004
Add to My HeroesJay P. Balchunas
Agent Balchunas succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained one week earlier. He was shot outside a gas station on West Villard Avenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Agent Balchunas was on duty as an undercover agent when he stopped at the gas station for a cup of coffee shortly after midnight. As he walked back to his car, he was confronted by two suspects who announced a robbery and pointed a gun at him. One of the suspects approached Agent Balchunas and discovered his gun. The other suspect then fired two rounds, striking Agent Balchunas in the liver.
Agent Balchunas was transported to Froedtert Lutheran Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds 7 days later.
The two suspects fled the scene but were apprehended several days after Agent Balchunas' death. The were both charged with murder. The shooter was convicted of first degree intentional homicide, but the conviction was later overturned on a mistrial. He was found guilty of first degree reckless homicide in a second trial. The accomplice was convicted of felony murder.
Agent Balchunas had served with the Wisconsin Department of Justice for 5 years and had previously served for 9 years with the Milwaukee Police Department. Agent Balchunas also served as a volunteer firefighter with the New Berlin Fire Department. He is survived by his fiancée, parents, sister and brother-in-law, brother, and nephews.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour 14 years
- Badge 26
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Friday, October 29, 2004
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Convicted
Most Recent Reflection
View all 403 Reflections"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9
Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service
August 25, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Jonathan Diller
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: March 25, 2024
Patrolman Justin Hare
New Mexico State Police, NM
EOW: March 15, 2024
Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello
Genesee County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: March 10, 2024
Border Patrol Agent Christopher Luna
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: March 8, 2024
Trooper Christopher M. Gadd
Washington State Patrol, WA
EOW: March 2, 2024
Officer Cody Allen
Independence Police Department, MO
EOW: February 29, 2024
Police Officer Wisbens Antoine
Knoxville Police Department, TN
EOW: February 25, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Charles Rivette
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 21, 2024
Trooper First Class Chase Winston Redner
Georgia State Patrol, GA
EOW: February 20, 2024