Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Balzano,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

November 14, 2022

Just wanted to stop by and say happy Veterans Day pa!! I love you and miss you every day!!! I love you with all my heart !! I love you my hero!

Jason
Grandson

November 11, 2022

Just wanted to stop by and say I love you pa ! Miss you everyday! Merry Christmas !

Jason zak
Grandson

January 3, 2020

Officer Balzano,
On today, the 21st anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of of Chicago. And to your Family and loved ones ones I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

November 14, 2018

RIP BROTHER

Illinois Antique Emergency Vehicle Assn.

June 24, 2015

Thank you for your dedicated service to the citizens of Chicago. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

November 14, 2013

thank you jack sorry it took so long to write back haven't been on here in a while . Not a day goes by that i don't think about him at least once a day,still miss him allot and wish he was still here . I got a tattoo with his name on a cross and the chicago skyline with cpd lit up as lights on a building as window lights.

jason zak
grandson

October 28, 2013

Rest in Peace, Officer Balzano. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

April 27, 2012

HI Jason,
I used to work at chicago oilers on devon and harlem and you grand dad would come in all the time.
i though he was a great guy.
I will always remeber his Him!

Thanks

Jack

March 20, 2012

thank you all for all your kind words about my grandpa Frank Balzano.He loved being a police officer and working with all of his dogs,he would treat the dogs like family.My grandpa was my hero when he was here and will always remain my hero.Im so thankful for all of your thoughts about him on his anniversary and keeping his memory alive. I cant believe the punks that did this to him only got manslaughter, goes to show how are system works. i love you "PA" and thank all of you for your services and may god be with all of you as well.

jason zak
grandson

December 30, 2011

I worked with you occasionally when I filled in as a sergeant or lieutenant when you were in the Canine Unit. You always were a great police officer and had some very good dogs who worked with you.. I remember you as being very smart and brave. Rest iun Peace Frank.

Retired Chief of Police Gene Karczewski
CPD and Riverside PD (retired)

December 19, 2010

Even though older and with many years of service you still were the police and spranh into action. Your ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten by the CPD.

Detective Thomas Downes
Chicago

November 9, 2010

On the 12th anniversary of Officer Balzano's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Officer Balzano is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

November 14, 2009

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 30, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

November 30, 2007

A decade has passed and you have not been forgotten. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol in the City. You are a true hero.

Bob Gordon
Father of CPD Officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

November 14, 2007

~Never forgotten. Rest in peace~

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

November 14, 2007

A six star badge silver and gold pin on the officer as he patrols. As he patrols his same beat in the large city going down that lonley street he does not know what lies beneath.

Andre

November 6, 2007

May Our Lord Bless you.

November 14, 2006

Nine years have passed since your end of watch and you have not been forgotten. Your name now appears on the new Chicago PD Memorial on the Lake front and there your name appears with dignity and honor. Keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

November 13, 2006

To the family and friends of Officer Belzano, his fellow officers, and especially to Officer Belzano:

On this the eighth anniversary of your tragic murder, please know that you are not forgotten. Your valor and dedication to your job are remembered and honored.

Thirty nine years in law enforcement is an achievement not many can claim. I am so sorry you didn't get to retire. Your work ethic is to be admired.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the many years of distinquished service Officer Belzano gave to the city of Chicago and the citizens of Illinois, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on November 14, 1997.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

November 14, 2005

It will be 8 years since your tour of duty ended, I remember the incident well and can't believe how fast time has seemed to have gone by. I know for your family it has not and its like being in a terrible dream that you wish you could awake from. Such a dedicated career and service to the City of Chicago. You have not been forgotten.
Please look after my son Michael.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Asst. Chief, retired
Riverside PD, IL

November 10, 2005

Rest In Peace, Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Police Officer
Chicago Police

October 1, 2004

What a devastating loss, and so close to retirement, Officer Belzano had been with the Chicago Police department for 39 years, such devotion and loyalty, to be taken away by teenagers, it almost brings tears to my eyes, To the family of Frank Belzano, and to the Chicago P.D I express my sincerest apologies, for such a tragic and most heart touching loss, from your Neighbors to the North, my heart is with you and every other officer, just as dedicated as Officer Belzano. Your watch is finally over Ofc. Belzano. At Ease.

Constable J. Rivera
Toronto Police Service