Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Agent Balchunas, Thank you for your service. You will always be remembered and honored for your dedication, commitment, Sacrifice and heroism.

Your Friends and Family remain in my thoughts and prayers.

James Clendening
CRO - Glades County Sheriff's Office
Firefighter - Glades County Public Safety

James Clendening
Glades County, Florida

September 30, 2009

God Speed, Payed my respect to my fallen brothers today.

GPM

May 25, 2009

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones today, Police Officer Memorial Day. You will never be forgotten. Continue to watch over your loved ones.

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

May 15, 2009

Dan will be riding in your honor and memory in the Police Unity Tour again in a couple of weeks. Many friends and family came together to support him last Saturday to help him accomplish his goal. It was a wonderful celebration. You would have enjoyed it. I know you are very proud of him. Please watch over him as he rides to honor his big brother.

We love you and miss you.

Mom

Anonymous

April 28, 2009

I stopped in to see Luann again today and again jumped on her computer. I wanted to leave another message that I am still so shocked about you passing away.
I will be going back overseas for about another 6 months or so, but today Luann was telling me about the motorcycle ride and golf outting in your honor. I am hoping to make it back for one of those this year.
I'll be keeping track of the events on the websites when I get back to my computer. I hope that they raise a lot of money for the scholarship fund and the charity.

Maggie

February 27, 2009

I worked with Jay closely for a long time and he holds a special spot in my life. I have been out of the country for several years now, and just arrived home. A good friend of ours shared with me about his passing.
I learned of this website and wanted to let you know that Jay was an awesome guy - clearly by the messages that have been left on this website I'm not the only person that thought so. He has accomplished some wonderful things in his life.
My heart goes out to his fiance, parents, family and all those who loved him. He will never be forgotten and he has touched many people's lives.
I read in the entry from his mother, that his brother started a website in his memory. I would love to take a look at it, as I'm sure a lot of those that hold him dear would, if you wouldn't mind passing it along or telling how to locate it. If it's too personal that will be also understand.
Jay will always be remembered as a great guy and the ripple effect of all the lives he touched will go on forever.
The family will remain in my prayers, as time passes I hope and know that his memory grows stronger and pray that the pain is diminished.
Mags

Maggie

January 29, 2009

Happy 39th Birthday, Jay! We toasted you last night as our family celebrated your birth and your life in Chicago. We had a wonderful breakfast at Dan's this morning. You would be very proud of him and all he has accomplished. The website he designed in your honor is a wonderful tribute to you.

Andy and Bryan made the day easier. Their love, energy and spirit bring us much joy. Linda and Chris are doing a wonderful job with them. We are blessed.

We love you and miss you more than words can express. Happy Birthday, my beloved son.

Love,
Mom

Anonymous

January 18, 2009

Merry Christmas, Jay! Glad you are with the Savior!
S.A. Balchunas served proudly and was deeply loved and respected by those who knew him. It is a tragedy to lose him. We never know when our lives on this earth will end, but we can make a reservation in Heaven now and assure us a.place when God calls us to Himself. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6) and He PAID the price for our sins on the Cross so we don't have to pay the penalty for our sins. Yipee! If we accept His payment by faith we can have salvation and spend eternity with Him in Heaven. It is not something we must earn, it is a gift. The most precious one we can ever receive. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith_and this not from yourselves, it is the GIFT of God_not by good deeds, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2: 8,9. For without faith, it is impossible to please God. And our faith must be in God's only Son, Jesus Christ.
You were a credit to the uniform, Jay. My heart goes out to your
loved ones left behind and may the Lord comfort them as only He can.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

December 13, 2008

We visited DC this past weekend and visited the memorial at Judiciary Square. We made a rubbing of your name for our kids who say your name in thier nightly prayers. You are missed!

Sgt.'s Brad Dall and Liza Ibarra
Milwaukee Police Department

December 8, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this forth anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

November 5, 2008

Jay, four years ago today you died. Time is a strange thing... it feels like it was only yesterday, but it also feels like an eternity. I think of you a lot, and pray that you're watching over me.

Anonymous

November 5, 2008

Happy 4th birthday in heaven, Jay. It's hard to believe that it has been four years already. Seems like just yesterday you were over celebrating Bryan's 3rd birtday and now he is 7. We miss you as much today as the day God called you home.
Please continue to watch over us, especially the boys.

Love,
Linda

Linda Lamm
LEO wife and Jay's sister

November 5, 2008

Hi Jay. It is hard to believe that you have been gone almost 4 years. Well, not truly gone. We think about you everyday.

Sometimes we see a firetruck or an ambulance and remember how dedicated you were as a firefighter and emt. How you were always around to help. How we could always count on you being there to lead and guide us. Whether on the 4th of July or in the middle of Christmas dinner, the pager would go off and we knew that you would be there with us.

Sometimes it is the sound of sirens from a police car driving by. Even today, we drive though areas that you patrolled and will do a double take thinking that we saw your face, even know we know we didn't.

We miss you Jay. You were and still are a inspiration to all of those law enforcement officers and firefighters and ems professionals. You show the way to guide our lives, the way to act towards our fellow man, and to ourselves as well.

You may be gone from the physical Earth, but your legacy, your spirit, and your memories will never be gone.

See you on the big roof in the sky, brother.

Gregg

Gregg
Friend, former member of NBFD

September 2, 2008

Jay,
I saw this and immediately though of you...


I fight not for glory or fame,
For they are momentary.
I fight for those who can't.
I fight for Justice.
I fight for the oppressed and the down trodden.
And if I should lose my life for these just causes, then I have no regrets,
For I serve to protect the innocent.
It matters not where or when,
For evil knows no boundaries.
Be it fire, flood, or the threat of tyranny,
I will not flee.
Justice is my weapon.
Faith is my shield.
Hope is my armor.
Cry not at my passing,
For it was my Honor to fight for you.
Shed not tears of sorrow,
But tears of joy,
For now,
I stand with God.

Anonymous

August 25, 2008

I was driving in the car the other day and as I made a connection to another freeway, I remembered you and was overcome with sadness, missing you.
There are times I just can't believe you are gone, it still seems unreal.

Anonymous

August 13, 2008

I attended the candlelight vigil in Washington, DC this year. The last time I was there was 2005, the year your name was added to the wall and read out. The vigil is always so emotional, with the hundreds of flickering candles and the thin blue line above the crowd. Your life and your death were big reasons I became a law enforcement officer. I think of you and your family often.

May 27, 2008

Dear Jay,

I think about you and your family often as my everyday life crosses paths with law enforcement, fire service, EMS and healthcare professionals.

I have been gone from Milwaukee for some time, but still carry all of you in my thoughts.

EJC
ex-WDN OPO

March 30, 2008

We never met, but I want you to know that I think of you often. You will be remembered and missed, even by those who weren't blessed enough to know you personally.

Detective
Madison, Wisconsin

March 19, 2008

Hi Jay. I still remember the day I heard what had happened. I could not understand why. I now know only God can explain why some things happen. Thank you for protecting us in New Berlin and on the street. Rest in peace. Mort

Captain Terry Martorano (ret.)
Waukesha county Sheriff Department

February 26, 2008

"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

February 24, 2008

Hope you had a great birthday in heaven yesterday...38 years old! We love you and miss you always.
Love, A, B,C & L

Linda Lamm

January 19, 2008

Jay, happy 38th birthday. We miss you and love you.

January 18, 2008

Happy Birthday Jay!

January 18, 2008

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones as the new year arrives. Continue to watch over all of them as I know that a day has not gone where they have not thought of you. Let them feel that you are near so they know you are continuing to watch over them. You have not been forgotten.

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

December 31, 2007

Merry Christmas Jay!! We miss you Brother!!!

A Good Friend

December 24, 2007